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Climate Change Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (274)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

274. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the window in which Ireland’s climate targets are incorporated or will be incorporated into our planning system; the way that upstream and downstream impacts induced demand and embedded carbon, for example, will be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10647/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Climate Action Plan, 2021 sets out an ambitious course for national decarbonisation to deliver a scale-up in emission performance across the sectors over the coming decade to meet 2030 targets and to set a trajectory to meet 2050 objectives. The plan recognises that climate change is a complex issue that requires transformative responses from every sector in society and that all measures, collectively, represent a coherent approach to dealing with the significant challenges ahead.

The National Planning Framework (NPF) confirms that the planning process provides an established means through which to implement and integrate climate change objectives, including adaptation, at local level and the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society. The NPF further underpins this approach by stating that "in addition to legally binding targets agreed at EU level, it is a national objective for Ireland to transition to be a competitive low carbon, economy by the year 2050".

The three Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) also echo the importance of climate action and each contain a number of policy objectives in order to ensure emissions can be reduced and targets met.

Under the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (the Act), local authorities prepare development plans and local area plans to set out the planning policies and objectives for their respective functional areas.

A programme of development plan review is currently underway in order to achieve consistency of approach with the NPF and the RSESs adopted by the three Regional Assemblies.

National renewable energy objectives, and those set out in the regional strategies, are required to be reflected in county Development Plans.

In addition, section 10(2) of the Act sets out the development objectives that must be included in the development plan of each local authority and are therefore ‘mandatory’ requirements. Section 10(2)(n) specifically identifies climate action (adaption and mitigation) as a mandatory objective to be included in all Development Plans.

These plans, which are adopted by the elected members of the local authority, are subject to review and evaluation by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) to ensure consistency with national planning policy and guidance, including section 28 Ministerial Guidelines. Where matters arise in relation to consistency with national policy, further to a recommendation by the OPR, the Minister may decide to issue a planning authority with a Ministerial Direction under Section 31 of the Act, if a plan has failed to set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of an area.

The SEAI published a Methodology for Local Authority Renewable Energy Strategies (LARES) in 2013 to assist local authorities in this regard. This methodology is currently being reviewed, with input from relevant bodies, to provide a best practice approach to identifying and assessing renewable energy resources in spatial planning at local authority level. Based on the indicative targets for onshore wind energy and grid-scale solar deployment, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) proposes to set out a target for the total onshore capacity that should be planned for on a national and regional level. The Regional Assemblies will be required to develop and implement regional renewable electricity strategies based on the overall national targets, renewable energy objectives contained in each of the RSESs, with the support of relevant guidance, including the SEAI LARES.

With regard to the construction sector, embodied carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings. The operational carbon emissions for heating, lighting and other services have been significantly reduced in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings. These building regulations requirements apply to all new buildings including social and affordable housing developments. Currently these embodied carbon emissions are addressed in the Climate Action Plan and the Construction Products Regulation.

In addition my Department has issued design guidelines for sustainable housing which includes recommendations relating to the need to have due regard to the environmental impact of construction materials. These guidelines “Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities” are available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/24d9e-quality-housing-for-sustainable-communities-design-guidelines/

Furthermore, under the Climate Action Plan the Office of Public Works (OPW) is putting in place a roadmap to promote greater use of lower-carbon building material alternatives in construction while the SEAI is carrying out a research and development project to examine life cycle analysis and embedded energy in buildings to compare the use of sustainable materials.

It should be further noted in this connection that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála, under sections 34 and 143 of the Act respectively, are required to have regard to the objectives of Development Plans and any policies of Government or Guidelines issued with respect to climate targets which are relevant at the time of making a decision on a proposed development.

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