Waterford

Ireland

Twin city
National Mission Ecosystem Ireland
Population 60k
City Area 50.4 km²
City active since December 2023

Waterford sits on Ireland’s south-east coast, where the River Suir meets the Atlantic. As the country’s oldest city, it combines a compact historic centre with a growing regional economy shaped by manufacturing, services, tourism and its port connections. Waterford has a mild maritime climate, but like many coastal cities, it is increasingly exposed to heavier rainfall, flooding risks and the wider impacts of climate change on infrastructure and daily life.

Climate action has become a central part of how the city plans for future growth. Waterford has set an ambition to become Ireland’s first carbon-neutral city by 2040, driven by concerns around transport emissions, energy use and the resilience of older urban areas. Rather than focusing on a single flagship project, the city’s approach brings climate goals into housing, transport, land use and public services, with the local authority playing a coordinating role across sectors and communities.

Current priorities include improving building efficiency, expanding walking and cycling routes, modernising public lighting and supporting cleaner energy use. Waterford also places strong emphasis on community participation, using local partnerships and neighbourhood-scale projects to make climate action visible and practical in everyday urban life.

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