Limerick invited to join European cities working towards climate neutrality

The invitation will give the city opportunities to share expertise, learn from European partners and accelerate its climate action plans

Participation will provide opportunities for Limerick to learn from other European cities, share its own experience and collaborate on practical approaches to accelerating the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. Picture: Dan Linehan.

Limerick has been invited to become a Mission Minded City, joining other European cities seeking to address the practical challenges of creating a low-carbon, climate-neutral future.

The invitation strengthens Limerick’s connection with the European Union’s Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and the NetZeroCities Mission Platform.

It recognises the city’s climate ambition and the work already under way.

Participation will give Limerick opportunities to learn from other European cities, share its own experience and collaborate on practical ways to accelerate the transition to climate neutrality by 2050.

At national level, the Treaty City will be eligible to participate in Ireland’s National Mirror Group, which brings together the five Irish cities involved in the wider Mission approach.

Limerick has already benefited from its engagement with the NetZeroCities programme, having been selected as one of 24 European Twin Cities and paired with Tampere in Finland for an 18-month programme in 2025.

John Moran, Mayor of Limerick, said the invitation would allow the city to build on its climate ambition through greater European collaboration.

“For Limerick, becoming a Mission Minded City means learning from what’s working elsewhere, sharing our own experience and putting good ideas into practice here. Plenty of places talk a big game on climate action; what counts is getting on with the work and delivering results. This is our chance to up the ante, build on what we’re already doing in Limerick and make real progress towards climate neutrality by 2050,” Mr Moran said.

Cllr Tom Ruddle, Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, said: “Climate action is most effective when it delivers real and visible benefits for people in their daily lives, from more energy-efficient buildings and cleaner transport choices to greener public spaces and stronger, more resilient communities.”

Pat Daly, director general of Limerick City and County Council, said the transition to a climate-neutral Limerick was not something the council could deliver alone.

“We must support households, communities and businesses in making that transition, while also creating new opportunities for investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth,” he said.

The council’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 sets out the ambition for Limerick to become climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral by 2050.