Galway City Council has been selected by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment as an SDG Champion for the 2025-2027 programme.
Established in 2019, the SDG Champions Programme was developed to raise public awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to demonstrate, through the examples provided by the SDG Champions, that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and as a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate the SDGs into their work and activities. Strategic Objective 3 of Ireland's Second SDG National Implementation Plan 2022-2024 (NIP) is 'Greater partnerships for the Goals'; the SDG Champions Programme is a key mechanism towards achieving this.
Action 35 and related measures of the National Implementation Plan relate to the SDG Champions Programme and its relaunch.
The key message of the Champions Programme is that the SDGs are for everyone in society and that everyone can make a contribution to their success.
As an SDG Champion, Galway City Council will showcase leadership in embedding the SDGs across local governance, infrastructure, and community engagement.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, said, “The world faces huge challenges in achieving the SDGs, with only 18% of the goals currently on track globally. However, this year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations, we are committed to achieving the vision and ambition of Agenda 2030, a roadmap for a fairer, safer, more prosperous, and sustainable world. In fulfilling the ambition of the SDGs, we have made considerable progress, but more is needed, and faster, from all stakeholders – locally, nationally and internationally.
Over 90 organisations applied to take part in the Programme this year, demonstrating the continued commitment of Irish society to help achieve and promote the SDGs. Partnerships play a crucial role, and it is great to have such a diverse range of organisations working collectively towards a better future for everyone. The SDG Champions Programme recognises that everyone has a role to play, and everyone can contribute to achieving the SDGs.”
Galway City Council’s Climate Action Team is driving transformative projects that align with the SDGs, including the EU-funded NetZeroCities Pilot Programme, which supports deep decarbonisation and community retrofitting (SDGs 11, 13, 4, 17), and the European Urban Initiative Waterways Project, which reimagines Galway’s historic canals to generate clean, renewable energy (SDGs 7, 9, 13, 11). Beyond technical innovation, Galway promotes climate literacy and collaboration through initiatives such as the Climate Inspirations Festival, Giob Geab storytelling nights, and the Community Climate Action Fund (SDGs 4, 13, 17).
“Galway City Council is proud to be recognised as an SDG Champion. This reflects our commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive future for Galway and to sharing best practices nationally,” said Damien Reddington, Climate Action Coordinator.
As an SDG Champion, Galway City Council will continue to embed the SDGs into strategic planning and service delivery, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of local decision-making.
Learn more about the SDG Champions Programme at SDG Champions 2025-2027.