A Vision for Cabra
Who are we?
Connecting Cabra was set up as a Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) in 2021. We want to create a cleaner, greener and CO2 leaner community in Cabra, Dublin 7.
Our priorities are to empower locals to take climate action at a local level. These projects benefit all residents in Cabra and surrounding communities.
Find out more about SECs here.
The group recognises the serious challenges around taking climate action. Renewable energy & retrofitting upgrades can be too expensive. Energy prices are too high. Cabra is not a safe environment for our kids & grandparents to move around. Our lack of greenery leads to flooding and no habitat for birds, bees & bats.
However, we are changing that, bit by bit. Your action can make a difference. Get involved in in one of our many community climate action projects, follow us on social media and talk with your neighours about the environment.
We welcome everyone to get involved in whatever form that takes. Email us: [email protected]
Connecting Cabra SEC Map area (as approved with SEAI small area maps)
Energy & Retrofit: Warmer Homes
Energy & Retrofit
Houses in Cabra are cold and expensive to heat. We want to change that by supporting locals on their journey to a warmer, cheaper home. We also want to see Cabra become Carbon Neutral by 2050.
To achieve this, we share information & experience with locals to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes, businesses, and community buildings.
We have already completed & launched our Energy Masterplan (EMP) and have identified potential projects with Energy Consultants Ardan Energy Ltd. The EMP outlines the current energy usage in Cabra.
Connecting Cabra in collaboration with Cosybatter and Phibsboro Village Climate Club are part of the Citizen Led Renovation project supported by the EU Commission. We organise monthly sustainable energy events & share guidance & experience with the retrofitting process.
Energy & Retrofit
Mobility & Active Transport
Mobility & Active Transport
Cabra is in a great location with many excellent public transport links. Safety is an issue on our roads and accessibility for all road and footpath users continues to be an issue. Transport emissions in Ireland account for almost 18% of all our total greenhouse gas emissions. As a group, Connecting Cabra conducted a walking and cycling survey and compiled the results into a report which was presented to DCCs Local Area Committee.
Mobility & Active Transport
FOOD SECURITY & GIY
Food Security & Grow It Yourself (GIY)
There are many people in Cabra who grow their own food, and many more who would like to. As a group we recognise the importance of locally grown produce, sustainable growing practices and the physical and mental benefits that can accompany growing food on a community level.
Food Security & GIY
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Circular Economy
Circular Economy
The circular economy involves a different approach to how we produce and consume. It involves sharing, repairing, reusing, refurbishing, and finding ways to avoid landfill. There are many people and businesses in Cabra working in a ‘circular’ manner already, such as those who repair shoes, bikes and appliances, those who are refurbishing clothing and furniture, upcycling and those who sell second hand goods. We hope that in the future Cabra will have repair cafes and a ‘library of things’ for our community to share and repair. A resilient, strong community will naturally share more, help one another out and ultimately create less waste!
Circular Economy
Grangegorman Recycling Facility (Image Credit: Pride of Place Stoneybatter Facebook)
PROJECTS
April 2021 – Jan 2023
The Energy Masterplan (EMP) and Register of opportunities (RoR) for Cabra was completed in March 2023 after the Connecting Cabra Sustainable energy community worked with consultants Ardan Energy to finalise the report. The CCSEC group along with TU Dublin first applied for grant funding from the SEAI in 2021 and received €20,000 to start the EMP. The report can be found at the “Useful link” section of the website below.
July 2022 – October 2022
The Biodiversity action plan was completed after the CC SEC group applied for and obtained €4,500 grant funding from the Community Foundation. The report has now been shared with local schools and is available to read at Cabra Library. The report can also be found at the “Useful links” section of the website below.
2023 – 2024
We are involved in the Triple SEC project with Cosybatter & Phibsoro Village Climate Club, which is supported by the EU Commission. It is a pilot project in progressing Citizen Led Renovation.
We host monthly events and hope to support locals on their retrofitting journey & the retrofit of local community buildings.
2023 – 2024
We have started the rollout of our Biodiversity action plan (BAP) with support from the community, local representatives and the local authority (DCC).Projects include:
- Tree Giveaways
- Bulb & Hedgerow Planting
- Greening Fassaugh Avenue
- Biodiversity Boxes
Keep an eye on our social media posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates & get in touch to help out!
2024
Other events – please check back here at the website and keep an eye on our social media posts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
USEFUL LINKS
Useful Links and Information for Energy Grants, Bike and Car sharing, Biodiversity and Grow it Yourself (GIY)
Where can I start?
- Calculate my Carbon footprint – here
- SEAI Grant information Homes – here
- SEAI business and Public sector grants – here
- The Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant – here
- SEAI Home Upgrades tool – here
- SEAI Plan you energy Upgrade – here
- The need-to-know info on Electric Vehicles (SEAI “Carpool Series on YouTube”) – here
Cabra Energy Masterplan (EMP) and Register of opportunities (RoR) can be found at Cabra Library or to download here.
Mobility and Active transport: Useful Bicycle and Car sharing
Grow food whilst making new friends in the Cabra community – Partnering Gardens with people.
Biodiversity information websites
- biodiversityireland.ie
- Cabra Biodiversity Action Plan – See the physical report at Cabra Library and PDF attached – here
Supporting Bodies
- Sustainable Energy Association if Ireland (SEAI)
- www.communityfoundation.ie
- Creative Ireland supports: A creative collaboration with local artists, poets, historians, videographers and musicians that aims to inspire people to engage with the fight against climate change with Bohemians Football club – here
- Codema Dublin District Heating Brochure
- Dublin City Council website
- Geological survey site
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