Development plan · Longford County Council
Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Longford County Council · 2021–2027 · 486 pages
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- 51 ■ Sustainable Industry - Ways to ensure more sustainable, more environmentally-respectful production cycles. ■ Building and Renovating - The need for a cleaner construction sector and buildings that are more energy efficient. ■ Sustainable Mobility - Promoting more sustainable means of transport. ■ Eliminating Pollution - Measures to cut pollution rapidly and efficiently. ■ Climate Action - Making the EU climate neutral by 2050. The EU will also provide financial support and technical assistance to help people, businesses and regions that are most affected by the move towards the green economy. This is called the Just Transition Mechanism and will help mobilise at least €100 billion over the period 2021-2027 in the most affected regions. In terms of Longford this is relevant in terms of the closure of the Lanesborough Power Plant and cessation of commercial peat harvesting and is dealt with in more detail in section ‘3.3.10 Midlands Just Transition 2019’ of this chapter. 3.3.2 National Adaptation Framework (NAF 2018) The National Adaptation Framework (NAF 2018) specifies the national strategy for the application of adaptation measures in different sectors, and by local authorities in their administrative areas, in order to reduce the vulnerability of the State to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of any positive effects that may occur. A key action under the NAF requires each local authority in the country to prepare local climate adaptation strategies. 3.3.3 Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guidelines (2018) The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) developed the Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guidelines 2018, in order to provide local authorities with support in developing their Climate Change Action Plans (CCAPs). In addition, the governmentCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 51
- has established 4 no. Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs). In the case of County Longford, the Eastern and Midlands Regional Climate Change Office will be responsible for planning and actions regarding Climate Change mitigation and adaptation on a regional basis. 3.3.4 Climate Action Plan 2019 The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019 reflects the central priority that climate change will have in Ireland’s political and administrative systems into the future, setting out governance arrangements including the carbon-proofing of government policies, the establishment of carbon budgets, the strengthening of the Climate Change Advisory Council and providing greater accountability to the Oireachtas. The National Climate Action Plan 2019 is an all-of- Government Plan to tackle climate change, setting out an ambitious course of action over the coming years to address the diverse and wide-ranging impacts climate disruption is having on Ireland’s environment, society, economic and natural resources. The Climate Action Plan sets out clear 2030 targets for each sector with the ultimate objective of achieving a transition to a competitive, low-carbon, climate-resilient, and environmentally sustainable society and economy by 2050. The national targets (Figure 3.1) have influenced the Development Plan Climate Policy Objectives and associated climate actions throughout this Plan. Figure 3.1: Irelands Climate Change Actions (Source: Climate Action Plan 2019) Electricity 70% Phase-out Coal and Peat electricity generation Homeowners to generate their own electricity and sell back to the grid under scheme for micro-generation on average, of newly planted forest per year 8,000 ha Deliver GHG emissions reduction identified by Teagasc by creating new, sustainable opportunities for family farms at least, of improved grasslands on drained organic soils per year40,000 ha Agriculture Waste and the Circular Economy Electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030 Ban specific single-use plastic convenience items including polystyrene food, cup, and drink containers 55% of plastic70% of packaging waste packaging waste Recycle Recycle No diesel-only purchases for public buses in our cities from 1 July 2019 Increase the number of EVs by 2030 to circa 1 million Transport Build EV charging network to stay ahead of demand Expand our network of cycle paths and ‘Park and Ride’ facilities, helping ease congestion Reduce the percentage of municipal waste sent to landfill to 10%by 2035 Eliminate non-recyclable plastic and impose higher fees on the production of materials that are difficult to recycle Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 Establish a Just Transition Review Group, which will identify specific transition needs among cohorts of workers, enterprises, communities and specific groups of people Citizens and Communities • Establishing a Community Outreach Programme • Driving action through the National Dialogue on Climate Action • Increase the number of Sustainable Energy Communities to 1,500 • Develop flagship low-carbon projects in all Local Authorities To be Enshrined in Law Climate Action Delivery Board overseen by the Taoiseach to monitor delivery Strong accountability to an Oireachtas Climate Action Committee Independent Climate Action Council to recommend the Carbon Budget and evaluate policy Carbon proofing all government decisions and major investments Year Carbon Budget5 Enterprise and Services Mobilise low carbon centers of excellence in our regions and across sectors International Action Double the percentage of Overseas Development Aid spending on climate finance by 2030 Improve energy efficiency of public sector buildings Public Sector Every public body will adopt a Mandate for Climate Action in 2019 30%by 2030 Reduce emissions from the public sector by 50%by 2030 Engage Communities across the country through: Embed decarbonisation and waste management measures across all enterprises and public service bodies Plan for the delivery of quality employment and enterprise in the new areas of opportunity Carbon Pricing Trajectory of Carbon Pricing to create behaviour changing incentives and avoid locking in carbon intensive technologies Buildings existing homes to upgrade to ‘B2’ equivalent BER by 2030 500,000 heat pumps installed by 2030 (of which 400,000 will be in existing buildings) New retrofitting delivery model, which will group retrofits together, leverage smart finance, and ensure easy pay-back methods 600,000 By 2030 Electricity 70% Phase-out Coal and Peat electricity generation Homeowners to generate their own electricity and sell back to the grid under scheme for micro-generation on average, of newly planted forest per year 8,000 ha Deliver GHG emissions reduction identified by Teagasc by creating new, sustainable opportunities for family farms at least, of improved grasslands on drained organic soils per year40,000 ha Agriculture Waste and the Circular Economy Electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030 Ban specific single-use plastic convenience items including polystyrene food, cup, and drink containers 55% of plastic70% of packaging waste packaging waste Recycle Recycle No diesel-only purchases for public buses in our cities from 1 July 2019 Increase the number of EVs by 2030 to circa 1 million Transport Build EV charging network to stay ahead of demand Expand our network of cycle paths and ‘Park and Ride’ facilities, helping ease congestion Reduce the percentage of municipal waste sent to landfill to 10%by 2035 Eliminate non-recyclable plastic and impose higher fees on the production of materials that are difficult to recycle Reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 Establish a Just Transition Review Group, which will identify specific transition needs among cohorts of workers, enterprises, communities and specific groups of people Citizens and Communities • Establishing a Community Outreach Programme • Driving action through the National Dialogue on Climate Action • Increase the number of Sustainable Energy Communities to 1,500 • Develop flagship low-carbon projects in all Local Authorities To be Enshrined in Law Climate Action Delivery Board overseen by the Taoiseach to monitor delivery Strong accountability to an Oireachtas Climate Action Committee Independent Climate Action Council to recommend the Carbon Budget and evaluate policy Carbon proofing all government decisions and major investments Year Carbon Budget5 Enterprise and Services Mobilise low carbon centers of excellence in our regions and across sectors International Action Double the percentage of Overseas Development Aid spending on climate finance by 2030 Improve energy efficiency of public sector buildings Public Sector Every public body will adopt a Mandate for Climate Action in 2019 30%by 2030 Reduce emissions from the public sector by 50%by 2030 Engage Communities across the country through: Embed decarbonisation and waste management measures across all enterprises and public service bodies Plan for the delivery of quality employment and enterprise in the new areas of opportunity Carbon Pricing Trajectory of Carbon Pricing to create behaviour changing incentives and avoid locking in carbon intensive technologies Buildings existing homes to upgrade to ‘B2’ equivalent BER by 2030 500,000 heat pumps installed by 2030 (of which 400,000 will be in existing buildings) New retrofitting delivery model, which will group retrofits together, leverage smart finance, and ensure easy pay-back methods 600,000 By 2030Longford County Council 52
- 3.3.5 Climate Action Charter 2019 The Climate Action Charter followed the publication of the Climate Action Plan and represented a collective agreement on the part of Local Government across the State, with all 31 no. local authorities signing an agreement to commit to actions delivering climate action in their communities, through the actions set out in the Climate Action Plan. The Charter commits local authorities to several actions that will ensure that they play a key leadership role, both locally and nationally in delivering effective climate action. Among other commitments, all local authorities will: ■ Put in place a process for carbon proofing major decisions, programmes and projects on a systematic basis, including investments in transport and energy infrastructure; ■ Deliver a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2030; ■ Ensure all suppliers provide information on their carbon footprint and steps they plan to reduce its impact; ■ Build local citizen engagement, particularly with young people; ■ Partner and collaborate on climate action initiatives with local community groups, local enterprise and local schools and higher-level institutions; ■ Monitor, evaluate and report annually on the implementation of activities under the Charter. The Chief Executive signed the Climate Action Charter on the 11th December, 2019. The Climate Action Charter demonstrates Longford County Council’s commitment to work in partnership with the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment in responding to climate change, while also providing local leadership in the area of Climate Action and support to communities in addressing such an important challenge. 3.3.6 National Planning Framework (NPF) The National Planning Framework (NPF) sets out the role of the planning system in facilitating mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change while ensuring that sustainable infrastructure networks build resilience to climate change. In this regard National Strategic Outcome (NSO) no. 8 is dedicated to achieving transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society: ‘The National Climate Policy Position establishes the national objective of achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. This objective will shape investment choices over the coming decades in line with the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework. New energy systems and transmission grids will be necessary for a more distributed, renewables-focused energy generation system, harnessing both the considerable on-shore and off-shore potential from energy sources such as wind, wave and solar and connecting the richest sources of that energy to the major sources of demand’. The Council will also demonstrate compliance with National Policy Objectives (NPOs) in areas such as: ■ NPO 3 (C) - Densification 30% brownfield, integrating transport links, increasing permeability (both pedestrian and cycling) and connection to public transport (15min walk). ■ NPO 21 – Seeks to enhance the competitiveness of rural areas by supporting innovation in rural economic development and enterprise through the diversification of the rural economy into new sectors and services, including ICT based industries and those addressing climate change and sustainability. ■ NPO 54 - Reduce our carbon footprint by integrating climate action into the planning system in support of national targets for climate policy mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 3.3.7 Climate Action Fund The Climate Action Fund was established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. The fund (totalling €500 million over the period to 2027) will support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets in a cost-effective manner. It offers the potential for innovative interventions which, in the absence of support from the Fund, would not otherwise be developed.County Development Plan 2021–2027 53
- The Fund will also seek to facilitate projects that contribute to other Government policy priorities including: - ■ Supporting innovation and capacity building towards the development of climate change solutions capable of being scaled and delivering benefits beyond a once-off impact; ■ Generating wider socio-economic benefits such as job creation, air quality improvements, reduction in fuel poverty, bio-diversity and community resilience and development. 3.3.8 Eastern & Midlands Assembly – Regional Spatial Economic Strategy 2019- 2031 (RSES) The RSES has three key themes, one of which is specifically targeted at Climate Action and includes six connected outcomes (see Figure 3.2): 1. Integrated transport and land-use; 2. Sustainable management of water, waste and other environmental resources; 3. Build climate resilience; 4. Support the transition to low carbon and clean energy; 5. Enhanced green infrastructure; 6. Biodiversity and natural heritage. Figure 3.2: Regional Strategic Outcomes and Climate Actions (Source: EMRA RSES) Healthy Communities Sustainable Settlement Patterns Compact Growth & Urban Regeneration Rural Communities Build Climate Resilience Creative Places Integrated Transport & Land Use Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources A Strong Economy supported by Enterprise & Innovation Support the Transition to Low Carbon and Clean Energy Enhanced Green Infrastructure Biodiversity & Natural Heritage Collaboration Platform Improve Education, Skills & Social Inclusion Global City Region Enhance Regional Connectivity E c o n o m i c O p p o r t u n i t y H ealthy Pl a c e m a k i n g C l i m a t e A c t i o nLongford County Council 54
- The RSES provides a Climate Action Strategy ‘to accelerate climate action, ensure a clean and healthy environment and to promote sustainable transport and strategic green infrastructure’. Also, the RSES contains the following Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs) of relevance to the local authority in relation to climate change: ■ RPO 3.7: Local authorities shall have regard to environmental and sustainability considerations for meeting sustainable development targets and climate action commitments, in accordance with the National Adaptation Framework. In order to recognise the potential for impacts on the environment, local authorities shall address the proper site/route selection of any new development and examine environmental constraints including but not limited to biodiversity, flooding, landscape, cultural heritage, material assets, including the capacity of services to serve any new development. ■ RPO 7.7: To reduce harmful emissions and achieve and maintain good air quality for all urban and rural areas in the Region and to work with local authorities and the relevant agencies to support local data collection in the development of air quality monitoring and to Encourage local food markets and shops to stock and sell local food produce. This will increase local employment and wealth generation.County Development Plan 2021–2027 55
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- inform a regional air quality and greenhouse gas emissions inventory. ■ RPO 7.29: Support collaboration between local authorities, the Bord na Móna Transition Team and relevant stakeholders and the development of partnership approaches to integrated peatland management that incorporate any relevant policies and strategies such as the Bord na Móna Biodiversity Plan 2016-2021 and the national Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans. This shall include support for the rehabilitation and/or re-wetting of suitable peatland habitats. ■ RPO 7.32: With the assistance and support of the Climate Action Regional Offices, local authorities shall develop, adopt and implement local climate adaptation and mitigation strategies which shall address issues including local vulnerability to climate risks and identify and prioritise actions, in accordance with the Guiding Principles of the National Adaptation Framework. ■ RPO 7.35: EMRA shall, in conjunction with local authorities in the Region, identify Strategic Energy Zones as areas suitable for larger energy generating projects, the role of community and micro energy production in urban and rural settings and the potential for renewable energy within industrial areas. The Strategic Energy Zones for the Region will ensure all environmental constraints are addressed in the analysis. A regional landscape strategy could be developed to support delivery of projects within the Strategic Energy Zones. ■ RPO 7.39: Local authorities shall report annually on energy usage in all public buildings and will achieve a target of 33% improvement in energy efficiency in all buildings in line with the requirements of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). 3.3.9 Midlands Just Transition Fund 2019 The fund announced in the budget of 2019 includes €6m carbon tax funding and a €5m contribution from the ESB. The fund has been established in recognition of the reliance on peat powered electric generation plants within the Midlands; which includes the peat generated power station at Lanesborough. The accelerated exit from peat will mean that at least 1.25 million tonnes of carbon will be saved each year and emissions reduced. The fund is designed to retrain workers to assist local communities and businesses in the Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition and to support proposals for sustainable employment in green enterprise. The fund includes provision for bog restoration and rehabilitation, which will restore non-Bord na Móna bogs to their natural habitat. This programme will support the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to restore 1,800 hectares of bog in 7 counties, resulting in 28 million tonnes of carbon stored over the next 5 years. It will create 70 jobs in year one, rising to 100 jobs as the programme develops. The Just Transition Fund will be used to support: ■ Retraining and reskilling workers to assist local communities and businesses in the Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition; ■ Proactive communications with affected communities and other stakeholders in the region and between local communities and the relevant national institutions; ■ Best practice sharing networks and frameworks; ■ The early development of local transition plans, with local communities at the core of plan development, based on economic analysis and local scoping of transition impacts and the opportunities it presents, acknowledging that the needs of individual areas across the Midlands will differ; ■ Innovation and investment proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise that do not come within the ambit of the Project Ireland 2020 Funds or the State’s other investment programmes. The fund is closely related to the EU ‘Green Deal’ (section 3.3.1) which sets out key policy areas to deliver a more environmentally sustainable EU economy. 3.3.10 Longford County Council Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019 - 2024 As part of the National Climate Change Action Plan 2019, the County produced and adopted its own County Longford Climate Adaptation Strategy in 2019. This Strategy considers actions to be implemented by the Council in order to arrest the significant issues of climate change at a county level.County Development Plan 2021–2027 57
- The Plan identifies the following high-level goal and 11 no. targeted specific objectives: This Development Plan actively supports the implementation of these identified objectives and the associated actions identified in the Longford County Council Climate Adaptation Strategy. Goal: Climate change adaptation considerations are mainstreamed and integrated successfully into all functions and activities of Longford County Council ensuring operational protocols, procedures and policies implement an appropriate response in addressing the diversity of impacts associated with climate change. Ensure that climate action awareness and adaptation responses are embedded within governance and management structures in Longford County Council. Incorporate climate action awareness and responses throughout Council policy. Ensure that structures are in place to secure continuity of service and business operations as part of adaptation mechanisms. Ensure/increase the resilience of infrastructural assets and inform investment decisions. Maintain the integrity of public infrastructure against negative climate change impacts and increase the design resilience of planned developments into the future. Promote a combined climate action response to infrastructure provision. Integrate climate action considerations into land use planning policy and influence positive behaviour. Manage the risk of flooding through a variety of responses and to mitigate the risk and impact of flooding. Provide for enhancement of natural environment to work positively towards climate action, to promote effective bio-diversity management and enhance protection of natural habitats and landscapes and to protect heritage and cultural infrastructure. Support climate action initiatives in line with Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) actions. Build capacity and resilience within communities. OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 3 OBJECTIVE 5 OBJECTIVE 7 OBJECTIVE 9 OBJECTIVE 11 OBJECTIVE 2 OBJECTIVE 4 OBJECTIVE 6 OBJECTIVE 8 OBJECTIVE 10Longford County Council 58
- 3.4 Climate Change Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. The impacts of climate change are already been felt in Ireland and within the County including the following: ■ Increases in average temperatures ■ Fewer colder days ■ Wetter winters ■ Increase in summer droughts ■ More intense and prolonged rainfall ■ Rising sea levels ■ More flooding ■ Damage to existing ecosystems and biodiversity Figure 3.3: The Impacts of Climate Change (Source: Met Office UK6) 6 https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/what-is-climate-changeCounty Development Plan 2021–2027 59
- 100 75 50 25 0 & of total 1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-2004 2005-2009 2010-22014 2015 2016 2017 Figure 3.4: Ireland Total greenhouse gas emissions 1990 - 2017 (Source: CSO using data from the Environmental Protection Agency7) Figure 3.5: Irelands emissions by sector 1990 – 2017 (Source: CSO using data from the Environmental Protection Agency8) 80 60 40 20 0 Million tonnes CO2 equivalent n Total national emissions n Agriculture n Transport n Energy n Industry, commercial and public services n Residential n Waste and F gases 1990-1994 1995-1999 2000-2004 2005-2009 2021 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 7 https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/peii/eii19/greenhousegasesandclimatechange/ 8 Ibid. At State level, the data shows that Agriculture is the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses accounting for 33% of the total. Transportation levels doubled over the period 1990 (10%) to 2017 (20%). Energy emissions also remained stable over the period 1990 to 2017, at 19% (see Figure 3.5). A Climate and Biodiversity Emergency was declared by Dáil Eireann in May 2019 highlighting the immediate need for urgent action. Ireland became only the second country in the world to pass such a declaration after the UK (1st May 2019). 3.5 Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2017, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were 60.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This was a reduction compared with the peak average annual emissions of 68.8 million tonnes in 2000-2004 but was 7.9% higher than the 1990-1994 average of 56.3 million tonnes (see Figure 3.4).Longford County Council 60
Source Longford County Council: Longford County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.