Plans to create first ‘zero carbon’ rural community

AN Irish countryside community is aiming to create the world’s first rural zero carbon district under a plan that would see it switch to totally green means of power, transport and production within 10 years.

Some 650 households in and around Ballynagran, Co Wicklow, are included in the ambitious project inspired by the goal of completely eliminating emissions of carbon, the so-called greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.

They plan to start with simple measures like switching over every single light fitting to energy saving bulbs and carrying out energy audits on all homes, businesses premises and public buildings to see how they can be better insulated.