Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-2 By signing up to the Climate Action Charter (part of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan) on 29th October 2019, Louth County Council has agreed to play its part at a local level in guiding communities, businesses and developers in mitigating and adapting the way we live and work to create a more sustainable, climate resilient and carbon neutral existence. Spatial planning plays a crucial and central role in both short-term and long-term climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. 12.3 STATUTORY CONTEXT 12.3.1 Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) Section 10(2)(n) of the Act refers to compulsory objectives in a development plan for the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to: • Reduce energy demand in response to the likelihood of increases in energy and other costs due to longterm decline in non-renewable resources; • Reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; and • Address the necessity of adaptation to climate change, in particular, having regard to location, layout and design of new development. 12.4 INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION AND POLICY CONTEXT 12.4.1 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) (1992) This was an international environment treaty adopted on 9th May 1992 and entered into force on 21st March 1994 following ratification. It acknowledged that change in the earth’s climate and its adverse effects are a common concern of humankind and its ultimate objective summarised is the stabilisation of greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. It asked those industrialised countries to adopt policies and measures on mitigation and to report periodically. 12.4.2 Kyoto Protocol 1997 This protocol which was adopted on 11th December 1997 and owing to complex ratification didn’t enter into force until 16th February 2005, operationalises the principles of the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention by mandating industrialised nations (developed countries) to limit and reduce their GHG emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. Under the principle “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities,” the protocol recognised the developed nations being the main contributors to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHG into the atmosphere. Developing nations were asked to voluntarily comply.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-3 12.4.3 The Paris Agreement 2015 This legally binding agreement which has 195 signatories was agreed on 12th December 2015 and came into force on 4th November 2016. It includes commitments from all major emitting countries to keep global temperature rise this century to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing ways to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The treaty also creates a framework for the transparent monitoring, reporting, efforts and contributions of countries’ individual and collective climate goals to lessen global warming. The agreement also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change. The Katowice package adopted at the UN climate conference (COP24) in December 2018 contains common and detailed rules, procedures and guidelines that operationalise the Paris Agreement. Figure 12.1 UN Sustainable Development Goals 2015 12.4.4 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015 The 17 SDGs at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development address the environmental, economic, and social challenges that the world needs to tackle by 2030. Adopted by all United Nation Member States in 2015, SDG 13 refers to climate action and the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Ireland supports initiatives both within the Paris Agreement and the UN SDGs, to support less developed countries in achieving these objectives.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-4 12.4.5 The 2013 EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change Welcomed by EU member states, this strategy aims to make Europe more climate-resilient focusing on 3 key objectives: • Promoting action by Member States and supporting adaptation in cities through the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative (CMCE created following the adoption of the 2020 EU Climate and Energy Package); • ‘Climate-proofing’ action at EU level; and • Better informed decision-making. 12.4.6 EU 2020 and 2030 Climate & Energy Framework The 2020 climate and energy package are a set of binding legislation to ensure the EU meets its targets for the year 2020. These targets included: • 20% reduction of GHG emissions (from 1990 levels); • 20% of EU energy from renewables (Under EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, Ireland is committed to produce from renewable sources at least 16% of all energy consumed by 2020); and • 20% improvement in energy efficiency. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI - the official source of energy date for Ireland) published its 2020 update for Renewable Energy in Ireland Report on 19th April 2020. Using 2018 data, it suggests Ireland is not on track to meet its 2020 renewable energy target of 16% as only 11% of energy came from renewable sources and a projected 13% by 2020. On the 5th March 2020, the SEAI published its Energy-Related CO₂ Emissions in Ireland report. The report showed that energy-related CO₂ emissions declined slightly in 2018, even as energy use increased. This was due to changes in the mix of fuels used - more renewable energy and less coal used. However, the overall reduction was not enough to keep Ireland on track to meet long term decarbonisation goals. The 2019 National Projections Report also reported that on the current trajectory, Ireland’s energy efficiency achievement in 2020 is likely to be 16%, compared to the binding 20% energy savings target by the EU. The SEAI reports however use 2018 data that predates the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019, which has the potential to turn the trends around and get Ireland back on track for 2030 – 2050. The 2030 framework includes EU- wide targets and policy objectives for the period 2021-2030 which include: • At least 40% cuts in GHG (from 1990 levels); • At least 32% share for renewable energy; and • At least 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-5 12.4.7 The European Green Deal (EGD) Presented on 11th December 2019, the deal sets out how to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, boosting the economy, improving people’s quality of life, caring for nature and leaving no one behind. It sets out a roadmap with actions to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy, restore biodiversity and cut pollution. It outlines investments required financing tools available, and explains how to ensure a just and inclusive transition. In order to meet the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal, the European Union (EU) Commission proposed on 4th March 2020 to bring about the first European Climate Law and legally bind the target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The aim of this law is to ensure all EU policies contribute to this goal and that all sectors of the economy and society play their part. The target would then also be incorporated later through sectoral legislative proposals. 12.5 NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL POLICY CONTEXT The following sets out the relevant policy documents at a National, Regional and Local level. 12.5.1 National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (2012) This non-statutory framework was Ireland’s first climate change adaptation framework, providing a strategic policy focus aimed to reduce Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change, by ensuring adaptation actions were taken across key sectors at national and at a local level. Twelve sectors were identified in which adaptation climate change plans were to be prepared. This framework also recognises the importance of the role of planning and development with full engagement of key stakeholders to deliver the climate change objectives and adaptation action at a local level. The Climate Law also addresses several necessary steps to achieve the 2050 target 2 as follows: • Based on a comprehensive impact assessment, the Commission will propose a new EU target for 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This part of the Law will be amended once the impact assessment is completed. • The Commission proposes the adoption of a 2030-2050 EU- wide trajectory for greenhouse gas emission reductions, to measure progress and give predictability to public authorities, businesses and citizens.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-6 12.5.2 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development 2015 This policy establishes the fundamental national objective of achieving transition to a competitive, low carbon, climateresilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. Published in April 2014, it provides an advanced policy direction from NCCAF for the Government to adopt and implement plans to enable Ireland to move to a lower carbon economy by 2050. The National Policy Position envisages that policy development will be guided by a long-term vision based on: • An aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors; and • In parallel, an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and landuse sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. The National Policy Objective underlines the need to take a long-term view, having regard inter alia to current and future obligations under EU or international agreements, as well as the economic imperative for early and cost-effective action. 12.5.3 2015 Energy White Paper The White Paper, published in 2015, on Energy Policy - ‘Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030’ sets out a framework to guide energy policy in the period to 2030. In order to meet national, EU and international targets, this paper recognises the thorough transformation the Irish energy system requires. 12.5.4 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 This Act was a national landmark in the development of climate change policy in Ireland. It provides the statutory basis for the national objective laid out in the National Policy Position to move towards and achieve a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. It brought about the compulsory need to produce and submit for approval, to the Government, a series of successive National Adaptation Frameworks (NAFs) which will guide policy in relation to the reduction of GHG emissions and climate change adaptation. These plans and frameworks must also ensure that the national objective is achieved by the implementation of measures that are cost effective. 12.5.5 National Adaptation Framework (NAF 2018) Developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and adopted on 19th January 2018, this is Ireland’s 1st statutory national adaptation strategy that builds on the work carried out under NCCAF 2012, outlining a whole of Government and society approach to climate change adaptation in Ireland. In accordance with Section 8 of the Act, the 18th January 2016 saw the establishment of a Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) which is independent in performance function, provides advice and recommendations as well as reporting of progress to meeting the national objective.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-7 The NAF aims to reduce the vulnerability of the State to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of any positive effects that may occur. Several Government departments will be responsible for preparing sectoral adaptation plans, for example the ‘Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage’ (2019). Local authorities are also tasked with addressing climate change at a local level through the preparation of their local climate change adaptation strategies. Like the NMP, the NAF will be reviewed every 5 years. In accordance with Action 8 of the NAF and Action 9 NMP, 4 Local Authority Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) were established in 2018 to drive climate action at regional and local level in Ireland. They are each operated by a Local Authority and support the preparation of local adaptation strategies. 12.5.6 Climate Action Plan (CAP) The Climate Action Plan is a Government plan which was published 17th June 2019 and designed to enable Ireland to meet its EU climate change commitments, through carbon proofing government policies and establishing carbon budgets. It provides 183 individual policy actions over 12 sectors to tackle climate change along with timelines for delivery, to reduce carbon emissions by 30% between 2021 and 2030 and towards achieving zero emissions by 2050. Detailed progress reports are published quarterly to ensure delivery and accountability. The Climate Action Delivery Board led by the Department of an Taoiseach will monitor progress and identify areas of concerns and challenges. The actions in this plan, if implemented, places Ireland in a better and more confident position in realising and meeting their 2030 and 2050 targets. This key document also places Ireland at the forefront of international efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 13 – the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Several key measures identified in the plan have already been delivered including the signing up of all 31 Local Authorities in Ireland to the Climate Action Charter. On 19th December 2019, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme for the Climate Action (Amendment) Bill 2019. The Bill aims to enshrine in law the approach outlined in the CAP.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-8 Figure 12.2 Climate Action Plan – to tackle Climate Breakdown Source: Eastern and Midland Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) 12.5.7 Climate Action Charter (CAC) The Climate Action Charter for Louth was signed in 2019. The charter acknowledges that Climate Change is happening and that actions must be taken to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate. We as a Nation must be more sustainable in our actions and ensure that Climate Action is at the heart of all our national, regional and local strategies, policies, plans and decisions. Each Chapter in this County Development Plan must be read with this Climate Action Charter at its core. We must plan and develop our County with climate action including adaptation, mitigation and improvement at its core. As a nation and County we must reduce negative climate impacts and promote climate improvement/mitigation and be climate resilient in our planning. The actions detailed in the Charter underpin all policies, objectives, goals and strategies of this plan and all other strategic plans whether they are local, regional or national. 12.5.8 Louth Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019- 2024 (CCAS) This Louth Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 forms part of the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) which was published in response to the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. Louth’s CCAS has been developed in line with the Department for Communities Climate Action & Environment (DCCAE) Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guidelines and was adopted by Louth County Council elected members on 16th September 2019. It is a collaborative approach to climate change across the Eastern and Midlands Region. It sets out Louth’s measures to adapting and protecting its functional area and citizens from the current and future effects of climate change and is based around 6 thematic areas.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-9 They are supported by specific objectives and adaptation actions to achieve their desired outcomes. The CCAS seeks to inform or ‘climate proof’ existing plans and policies produced and implemented by Louth County Council. 12.5.9 Project Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework - NPF) This is the Government’s high-level strategic plan for shaping the future growth and development of our country out to the year 2040. This framework recognises the importance of climate action and the link with the planning process, which provides an established means through which to implement and integrate climate change objectives, including adaptation at a local level. This objective will shape investment choices over the coming decades in line with the National Adaptation Framework. New energy systems and transmission grids will be necessary for a more distributed, renewable-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. 12.5.10 Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) – Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) The RSES recognises the global challenge that is climate change and EMRA is committed to the region becoming a lowcarbon, circular and climate resilient region. The RSES supports the implementation of the NPF (Project Ireland 2040) through the provision of appropriate policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives (RPO). The RSES sets out 16 Regional Strategic Objectives (RSOs) which are aligned with international, EU and national policy. The RSOs are sorted into 3 categories namely Economic Opportunity, Healthy Placemaking and Climate Action. It sets out a single vision, a shared set of goals in the form of 10 National Strategic Outcomes (NSO) of which no. 8 identifies the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. NSO 8 is also in line with the Sustainable Development Goal on climate change: “To realise the NSOs that include compact growth, sustainable mobility and transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society, Project Ireland 2040 has dedicated a Climate Action fund and a ten-year capital investment plan.” Under Climate Action the RSES identifies 6 RSOs: RSO 6 – Integrated Transport and Land Use; RSO 7 – Sustainable Management of Water, Waste and other Environmental Resources; RSO 8 – Build on Climate Resilience, RSO 9 – Support the Transition to Low Carbon and Clean Energy; RSO 10 – Enhanced Green Infrastructure; and RSO 11 – Biodiversity and Natural Heritage.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-10 European and National funding provision will assist in the realisation of the RSES RSOs. EMRA will also work closely with the newly appointed Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs) who shall ensure coherence and coordination with the RSES when formulating regional climate change adaptation plans. The RSES also sets out 5 specific Climate Change RPOs for the Eastern and Midlands Region (RPO 7.30 – RPO 7.34). 12.5.11 Programme for Government 2020 The Programme for Government places significant emphasis on climate action and places climate action at the heart of the incoming Government’s ambitions. Central to the programme is a commitment to an average 7% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021-2030. The programme commits to a 10-fold increase in the national retrofitting programme, with the target of bringing at least 500,000 Irish homes up to a minimum B2 standard this decade. The climate action brief within the Programme for Government is wide ranging and touches on virtually every aspect of society and the economy. One of the keys aspects is a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 enshrined in a new Climate Action Bill. There is also a commitment to update the Climate Action Plan annually and report progress quarterly. The Programme for Government targets a review of renewable energy legislation with a view to accelerating the process for onshore wind, solar and offshore wind, while legislation is also being brought in to actively curb carbon intensive industries including gas extraction, shale gas importation, LPG gas storage and turf extraction. 12.6 CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Climate action mitigation and adaptation strategies have been integrated into the Policies of the Plan. The following Policy Objectives support the overarching Strategic Objectives. Policy Objective CA 1 To promote, support and direct effective climate action policies and objectives that seek to improve climate outcomes across the settlement areas and communities of County Louth helping to successfully contribute and deliver on the obligations of the State to transition to low carbon and climate resilient society through the encouragement and integration of appropriate mitigation and adaptation considerations and measures into all development. Key features of the programme include: • Commitment to supporting the European Green Deal; • Offshore Wind Sector; • Town Centres First; • Transition to a low carbon future; • Climate Governance; • Increased emphasis on protection of Biodiversity and natural heritage; and • Accelerating the electrification of the transport system.

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    Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-11 Policy Objective CA 2 Work to translate, support and implement strategic objectives of the National Planning Framework and the Eastern and Midland Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy to create an enabling local development framework that: • Promotes and integrates important climate considerations in local development and planning decisions; • Supports national climate policy and targets of the Climate Action Plan (as revised and updated) and the delivery of the national transition objective. Policy Objective CA 3 Actively implement policies that support and encourage sustainable compact growth and settlement patterns, integrate land use and transportation, and maximise opportunities through development location, form, layout and design to secure climate resilience and reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions. Policy Objective CA 4 Support the work of Louth County Council in: • Developing a robust comprehension of the key risks and vulnerabilities of the County to the negative impacts of climate change; • The implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions of the strategy aimed at building climate resilience across local communities;and • Promoting the integration of effective adaptation and mitigation considerations into decision making processes. Policy Objective CA 5 To actively promote and encourage nature-based approaches and green infrastructure solutions as viable mitigation and adaptation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the adaptive capacity of ecosystems and optimize the multifaceted benefits through: • Conservation, promotion and restoration of the natural environment; • Integrating an ecosystem services approach and promote healthy living environments through enhanced connection with nature and recreation/amenity; • Enhancing biodiversity in urban and rural settings; • Assist with water and flood risk management; and • Carbon storage or sequestration. Policy Objective CA 6 To capitalise on the economic opportunities for County Louth that arise in association with the environmental and technological advances required to support the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy and in particular, opportunities arising from the implementation and translation of the European Green Deal and the post COVID-19 recovery plan Next Generation EU, to national policy.

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