Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
634. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a timeline for the development of his Department's specific climate change targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49571/18]
View answerThe National Development Plan and National Planning Framework include significant elements of policy that provide a strong platform for the development of measures and actions in response to climate change. Specific measures my Department is currently developing and implementing include:
- A review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
- In collaboration with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment who lead on renewable energy policy, my Department is exploring the potential for enhancing national planning guidance on solar energy, taking account of solar energy projects being assessed by planning authorities and the scope for future development of the sector in the context of the ongoing development of renewable energy policy.
- With regard to the built environment, which accounts for approximately 40% of total energy produced in Ireland, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets ambitious goals for energy efficiency and renewables in buildings by requiring Nearly Zero Energy Building or “NZEB” performance for new buildings from 31st December 2020. In addition, the Directive also requires that major renovations to existing buildings are completed to a cost optimal level, where it is feasible. This has been completed for buildings other than dwellings and will take effect from 1st January 2019. It will be in place for dwellings from mid-2019. These will contribute to emissions reductions from 1st January 2021 onwards.
- Lack of recharging infrastructure is a barrier to the take-up of electric vehicles in the EU and the revised EPBD has new provisions which aim to accelerate deployment. These will be implemented in regulation by my Department by March 2020.
- In relation to social housing, funding of some €116 million has been provided from 2013 to end-2017 to improve energy efficiency and comfort levels in almost 64,000 local authority homes. In addition, energy efficient measures have been incorporated into the 9,000 plus vacant social housing units that have been returned to productive use since 2014. This effectively means that approximately 50% of our social housing stock has been energy retrofitted.
All of the measures outlined above are key actions in contributing to Ireland’s National Low Carbon Transition and Mitigation Plan to address Climate Change.
