Navan was a partner on the URBACT project In4Green. Their network was led by Avilés (Spain) and included partners from Czechia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, and a second Spanish partner. The project brought together diverse industrial cities and towns from across Europe, helping one another towards their shared efforts to make meaningful change and steer industry towards a greener and more sustainable future, while improving local governance and policymaking.
In Ireland, the project was locally led by the Council’s Climate Action section, following on from the team’s previous great success on the URBACT project Global Goals for Cities in nearby Trim.
Meath County Council’s Chief Executive Kieron Kehoe noted:
“Programmes such as URBACT provide not just funding, but a structured framework for innovation, shared learning and delivery. They enable ambitious environmental objectives to be translated into robust, actionable plans. It is our clear ambition to position County Meath as a leader in the green transition and as a strong example of sustainable development in practice”
The In4Green IAP lays out a clear pathway for Navan town, co-created in a participatory way locally, to reduce carbon emissions, foster innovation and build an economy that is sustainable and resilient.
Director of Services in Meath’s Environment Department, Barry Lynch remarked on the strong efforts around participatory planning:
“What makes this plan distinctive is the way it was developed — through genuine collaboration with businesses, communities and stakeholders from the outset, ensuring it is firmly grounded in local knowledge and lived experience”
The inclusive plan speaks to the needs and opportunities of Navan and offers real potential in enhancing the well-being of the town’s residents and businesses. In delivering this positive change, and in addressing the core elements of the green transition, the IAP sets out some nine actions across four thematic areas, including:
- Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy – accelerating retrofitting and promoting renewable energy uptake
- Sustainable Transport & Mobility – supporting active travel and improved transport options
- Biodiversity & Green Infrastructure – enhancing urban greening and nature‑based solutions
- Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency – encouraging reuse, repair and sustainable consumption
Each action varies in timeframe for delivery, governance approach and scale, but all are joined by the ambition to improve quality of life while supporting economic growth in a way that is sustainable.
Councillor Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council noted the IAP “sets out a clear and ambitious roadmap for how Navan can reduce emissions, encourage innovation, and build a strong and sustainable local economy that benefits current and future generations.”
The IAP additionally sets down a framework for delivering on Meath’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, becoming the first Decarbonising Zone plan and positioning Navan and Meath as leaders in local climate action delivery and the green transition more widely. The exciting plan includes a cycle of projects ranging from small scale initiatives to long term investments.
A big well done to the Navan team for their great work throughout the project and the highly impressive IAP!
You can read the Navan IAP here.
You can also access the In4Green Playbook, offering a hands-on guide for policymakers and technical teams to support the green transition in industrial cities, containing the first 49 good practices collected.