Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-12 Policy Objective CA 7 Promote and encourage positive community led climate action initiatives and projects that seek to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, enhance green infrastructure and encourage awareness on climate change issues. Policy Objective CA 8 To seek to identify projects or initiatives that will assist in meeting national climate and energy targets and to seek funding or support any funding applications for the implementation of these initiatives from available sources including the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications Climate Action Fund. 12.7 CLIMATE ACTION MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION Climate action mitigation and adaptation are distinct but complementary activities. 12.7.1 Climate Change Mitigation Climate Change Mitigation is defined as ‘a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases’ (IPCC, 2014) i.e. tackling the cause of climate change. There is an onus on each of us to mitigate the magnitude of long-term climate change by taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to increase the capacity of carbon sinks such as forests. Climate mitigation is to the forefront of this Plan with the aim of achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across the key sectors. Climate mitigation has the capacity to provide significant health and economic benefits such as improved health, new 'green' jobs, improved competitiveness, cleaner air and more efficient public transport systems in cities, new technologies, energy-efficient buildings and secure supplies of indigenous energy. The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in Volume 5 of this Plan appraises the likely significant environmental effects of this Plan and the reasonable alternatives considered. The climate change mitigation pathways presented in Chapter 4 of the Climate Action Plan 2019 entail a coherent set of abatement measures across the five sectors that contribute most to our greenhouse gas emissions: Agriculture, Transport, Electricity, Built Environment, and Industry/Enterprise. This section of the Plan identifies each of the policy objectives, which contribute towards achieving each of the targets set for the aforementioned sectors. Separate to the policies which align with the targets set down for the five sectors, the Plan contains a specific policy objective to support the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and to consider a variation to the Plan should this be required in future.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-13 Policy Objective CS 9 To support the implementation of the EU Green Deal, National Climate Action Plan 2019, Programme for Government 2020, Louth Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 and the Climate Action Charter through the Plan and to consider, if appropriate, a variation of the development plan to ensure the consistency with the approach to climate action recommended in any revised Development Plan Guidelines as adopted. 12.7.1.1 Electricity As noted within the Climate Action Plan 2019, electricity accounted for 19.3% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2017 and it is therefore important that we decarbonise the electricity that we consume by harnessing our significant renewable energy resources. Such development will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and external sources, improve energy mix and provide a secure and resilient supply, reduce greenhouse gas emissions creating environmental benefits and protect against climate change. The Council recognises the range of new and developing technologies that can contribute to minimising greenhouse gas emissions, providing a secure and stable energy supply and securing a greater proportion of our energy from renewable sources. The Council recognises the significant contribution that wind, solar and biomass energy can make as a clean sustainable solution to energy requirements and its vital role in helping achieve national targets in relation to fossil fuel reductions and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. The policy objectives contained within the Plan and which contribute to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets on Electricity are set out in Table 12.1 at the end of this chapter. 12.7.1.2 Built Environment The built environment is broadly defined as the artificial, man-made structures in which we live, work and play. All artificial surfaces, including buildings, roads, pavements etc. come under the heading of the built environment. The built environment accounted for 12.7% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2017 (Climate Action Plan 2019). New buildings only account for a small percentage of the built environment and a strategy for bringing older existing buildings up to correct standards has become a key focus of the Climate Action Plan 2019. The policy objectives contained within the Plan and which contribute to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets regarding the Built Environment are set out in Table 12.2. 12.7.1.3 Transport The transport sector accounted for 19.8% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2017. The dispersed settlement pattern and low population density evident across much of the country, has contributed to a high proportion of journeys being made by private car and has created a barrier to sustainable public transport provision. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the transport sector, there is a requirement to drive more compact, connected development and to migrate towards low emission vehicles.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-14 As well as contributing to the production of greenhouses gases, air pollution emitted from transportation contributes to poor local air quality, in the form of increased micro-particulates and nitrogen oxides, which reduces people’s quality of life and harms their health. The Census 2016 confirmed that the car remains the dominant mode of transport in County Louth with over 63% of workers driving to work and over 50% of students travelling to school or college by car. Mitigation policies (set out in Table 12.3 at the end of this chapter) have therefore been incorporated into the Plan to ensure that the transportation sector is addressed within the overall climate action strategy and alignment with the Climate Action Plan 2019 targets. The Plan supports the target for increased Electric Vehicles (EV’s) in Ireland within the Development Management Guidelines laid out in Chapter 13. These guidelines require that in all car parking areas provision shall be made for charging points for Electric Vehicles, including the necessary wiring and ducting. 12.7.1.4 Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Agriculture generates a third of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions and is the single largest contributor to Ireland’s overall Greenhouse Gas emissions, accounting for over 30% of the total. Ireland’s production systems are already at the higher end of efficiencies in terms of efficiency per unit production. This highlights the challenges faced by the sector to identify further cost-effective measures to limit emissions. The Development Plan has a key role to play in terms of land use and the interaction with climate action. Deforestation is one of the major contributors to climate change, and currently accounts for 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, forestry provides a range of opportunities to mitigate rises in greenhouse gas levels: • afforestation/reforestation; • forest management; • reduced deforestation (land use change from to forest to non-forest); • increased use of wood products; • Use of forest products for bioenergy to replace fossil fuel use; and • Support anaerobic digestion to reduce the anthropogenic climate warming impact of agricultural waste and produce biogas, which is not considered a fossil fuel. The total carbon reservoir in Irish forests currently exceeds one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. Most of this is in the soil. Table 12.4 sets out the specific targets contained within the Climate Action Plan 2019 and the corresponding policy objectives within this Plan which will contribute to achieving these national targets. 12.7.1.5 Enterprise The largest share of enterprise emissions comes from the manufacturing sector, mostly chemicals, food processing, beverages, and cement, but it is a relatively small sector in Ireland with 74 companies. These are covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The EU ETS focuses on emissions that can be measured, reported and verified with a high level of accuracy and covers carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Emissions from enterprise that fall outside the EU ETS are highly diverse, with a large proportion arising from Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). There are various options available to reduce emissions within the sector.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-15 These include increase in the uptake of low-carbon and energy efficient technology, and a transition to low carbon energy supplies. The policy objectives contained within the Plan and which contribute to achieving the Climate Action Plan targets on Enterprise are set out in Table 12.5 at the end of this chapter. 12.7.2 Climate Change Adaptation Climate Change Adaptation is defined as ‘the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects. In human systems, adaptation seeks to moderate or avoid harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In some natural systems, human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate and its effects’ (IPCC, 2014), i.e. dealing with the inevitable effects and impacts of climate change. The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming concluded that the impacts and costs 1.5°C of global warming will be far greater than expected. The past decade has increased ferocity and frequency of storms, forest fires, droughts, coral bleaching, heat waves, and floods around the world with just 1°C of global warming. The IPCC reported that 1.5°C could be reached in as little as 11 years and almost certainly within 20 years without major cuts in CO2 emissions. Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1.5°C and will increase further if we reach 2°C. At a local level, Met Éireann projections indicate an increase of 1°C –1.6°C in mean annual temperatures, with the largest increases seen in the east of the country. Highest daytime temperatures are projected to rise by 0.7°C–2.6°C in summer and lowest night-time temperatures are projected to rise by 1.1°C–3°C in winter. Met Éireann’s down-scaled simulations show significant projected decreases in mean annual, spring and summer precipitation amounts by mid-century. The projected decreases are largest for summer, with reductions ranging from 0% to 13% and from 3% to 20% for the medium-to-low and high emission scenarios, respectively. The frequencies of heavy precipitation events show notable increases of approximately 20% during the winter and autumn months. The number of extended dry periods is projected to increase substantially by mid-century during autumn and summer. The projected increases in dry periods are largest for summer, with values ranging from 12% to 40% for both emission scenarios.1 Louth County Council has compiled a Climate Risk Register as part of the County Louth Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024. This register outlines specific impacts of climate change resulting from various climate hazard events such as heat wave conditions, extreme precipitation, extreme wind events and extreme cold and/or snow events. A summary of these risks are outlined in Figure 12.3. 1 https://www.met.ie/climate/climate-change

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-16 Figure 12.3 – Climate Risk Register Summary Electricity • Damage to underground utility services located under or adjacent to roads during extreme cold or snow events; • Increased frequency of fallen power and communication overhead lines caused by storm activity. Built Environment • Requirement to re-house families impacted by flooding during periods of extreme precipitation; • Increased frequency of damage to council housing stock by storm activity; • Damage to housing stock such as burst pipes caused by freezing conditions. Transport • Deterioration of road surfaces due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures during heat wave conditions; • Increased deterioration of roads as a result of ground movement/shrinkage during heat wave conditions; • Increase in damage to transport infrastructure including flooding of roads and damage to bridge structures and potential landslides during periods of extreme precipitation; • Increase in river levels bursting banks and causing flooding of roads & footpaths, or rivers so high so as to prevent surface water drainage freely flowing away from road surfaces during periods of extreme precipitation; • Increased frequency of road blockages caused by fallen trees and power lines and damage to road signage, street furniture and public lighting during storm conditions; • Increased frequency of roads closed by snow; and • Increased road and bridge infrastructure deterioration due to freeze/thaw conditions.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-17 Agriculture, Forestry & Land Use • Increase in frequency and intensity of fires in forested areas, upland areas, gorse and bog areas and amenity/ recreational areas during heat wave conditions; and • Reduced availability of water sources to combat fires during heat wave conditions. Natural Environment • Wild fires in areas of high biodiversity and habitat value during heat wave events and drought conditions; • Increased demand for bathing waters during heat wave events and drought conditions; • Reduced flow in rivers and streams during heat wave events and drought conditions • Increase in Invasive species best suited to higher temperatures and drier conditions; • Increased surface run-off resulting in nutrients being washed into rivers, streams, and lakes during extreme precipitation events; • Changes to river morphology (e.g. bank erosion) caused by increased flow rates during extreme precipitation events; • Loss of biodiversity and habitats in flooded areas caused by extreme precipitation events; and • Low temperatures will result in an increase in polluting carbon sources being burned, which will have a consequence for air quality and public health.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-18 12.7.3 Adapting to Climate Change within Louth 12.7.3.1 Integrated Land Use Planning Spatial planning land use policy has a crucial role to play in ensuring compact and sustainable growth of our cities, towns, and villages. Integrated land use planning and transportation are fundamental to reducing car dependency and achieving reductions in carbon emissions. The Core Strategy focuses on delivering upon the overriding objective of both the NPF and the RSES in achieving compact growth in urban areas. An analysis of appropriate brownfield and infill sites with potential capacity to deliver new homes was completed for Drogheda, Dundalk, Ardee and Dunleer and the remaining Level 3 settlements. Delivering compact growth is acknowledged as being a crucial aspect in achieving a greater uptake of sustainable modes of transport. This reduces the reliance on the car by facilitating easier access to public transport corridors and encourages cycling and walking. The aim is to promote their continued sustainable and compact growth as regional drivers to city scale, with a target population of 50,000 by 2031 supported by improvements to sustainable transport links and the requisite infrastructure to enable the towns grow to their full potential. The Core Strategy encourages higher densities and increased building heights in areas close to public transport routes. The Plan acknowledges that as we strive to mitigate against the impacts of climate change it is important that future development patterns reduce our carbon footprint, protects our environment and promotes more sustainable ways of living. To this end the Plan directs rural generated housing demand to rural villages in the first instance. 12.7.3.2 Green Infrastructure Green infrastructure has a significant role to play in transitioning to a low-carbon society and economy and to mitigate the significant risks associated with rising energy costs and climate change adaptation. Green Infrastructure can include a number of facets such as uplands, wetlands, woodlands, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, all of which have a pivotal role in terms of climate adaptation. The need to reduce one off rural housing in the countryside is key to ensuring settlement patters align with climate action principles. Policy within the Plan is particularly focused on prioritising targeted population and economic growth to the designated Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk. This is a particular focus in this Plan whereby climate action is embedded in the land use planning and transport policies.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-19 The principles of a green infrastructure approach to land use planning has been embedded as a cross cutting theme in the policies and objectives of this Plan. The Plan supports the existing green infrastructure network of County Louth and includes a noteworthy policy to prepare specific Green Infrastructure Strategies for the Regional Growth Centres of Drogheda and Dundalk. 12.7.3.3 Greenways The Council has invested significantly in Greenways. The Great Eastern Greenway is a 7 kilometre trail that runs from Carlingford to Omeath along the southern shore of Carlingford Lough. It is proposed to further extend this greenway to Newry and Dundalk and increase the length of the trail to approximately 55 kilometres. To the south of the County phase one of the Boyne Greenway, in Drogheda, has been completed. This stretch of greenway runs from Dominic’s Park on the south bank of the River Boyne to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre at Oldbridge. Future phases of this Greenway include an extension from Drogheda to Mornington. It is anticipated that the extended route will pass through Drogheda and follow the southern edge of the Boyne east of the town and out to Mornington. Most recently, Louth County Council has secured €200,000 worth of funding to improve the Northside Greenway at Mell in Drogheda. The funding has been allocated under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, a joint initiative between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Fáilte Ireland. 12.7.3.4 Flood Risk Management Flooding is the most common natural hazard and third most damaging globally after storms and earthquakes. Climate change is expected to increase flood risk through more frequent heavy precipitation, increased catchment wetness and sea level rise. The Plan is informed by the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (contained within Volume 5) and guided by robust policies and objectives in relation to Flood Risk Management, designed to ensure that future development, in areas at risk of flooding shall conform to ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (2009). The baseline for the SFRA has been derived from the Office of Public Works (OPW) catchment and Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) data, the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment and Management (PFRAM) data and the Areas of Further Assessment (AFA). Spatial planning aims to reduce the harmful effects of flooding by limiting the impact of a flood on human health and economic infrastructure. This is accomplished by planning appropriate land use of floodplains. The role of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) is pivotal in this regard in informing the policy objectives and land use zoning objectives of the Plan. The Council recognises the important role green infrastructure such as greenways play in climate mitigation and adaptation. The Council has in place a comprehensive Green Infrastructure Strategy, which aims to strengthen and/or create wildlife corridors between interconnecting core areas for the benefit of biodiversity, enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities, visual amenity and general wellbeing.

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   Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-20 The SFRA acknowledges that with climate change, the frequency, pattern and severity of flooding is expected to change and become more damaging, so the likely impact of climate change on fluvial and coastal flood extents has also been appraised. The strategic land-use planning decisions taken within this Plan have been have fully informed by the findings of the SFRA. Louth County Council has been working closely with the OPW with regard to planned flood relief schemes within the County. These schemes require significant capital investment. Having been allocated funding, the Council is seeking to deliver on the Drogheda & Baltray Flood Relief Scheme, Dundalk, Blackrock & Ardee Flood Relief Scheme and the Carlingford & Greenore Flood Relief Scheme over the lifetime of this Plan. 12.7.3.5 Urban and Rural Regeneration Urban and rural regeneration has the potential to greatly enhance the climate resilience of towns and villages. Regeneration projects can help to inject new life into declining urban and rural areas, stimulating both social and economic regeneration. A key requirement for eligibility under both schemes is the contribution a project will make in assisting the transition to a competitive, low carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy. The Plan emphasises the importance of regeneration areas within the County and identifies a number of regeneration areas in Drogheda, Dundalk and Ardee. The areas identified have the potential to deliver sustainable compact growth while achieving a transition to a competitive, low carbon and climate-resilient economy. Louth County Council has also successfully secured funding for the following regeneration projects to date; and • Ardee Regeneration & Ardee Castle; • Westgate Vision Drogheda; • Long Walk Quarter; • Living in Carlingford-Visiting Carlingford. Each of these schemes will contribute to creating climate resilient development and enhance their respective town and village centres. 12.7.3.6 Renewable Energy Louth County Council has been proactive in promoting renewable energy within the County. The Council has also sought to lead by example in utilising renewable energy resources. In 2017 PV panels were installed on a section of roof of the Council office building in Dundalk. The PV panels generate 11KW of electricity and are expected to generate some 8,500KW hrs of electricity or some 3% of the annual energy use within the building. The Council was also a key partner in the Dundalk 2020 Project and has participated in the EU Funded Concerto Project as a result. Dundalk was Ireland’s first sustainable energy community under SEAI’s Sustainable Energy Communities (SEC) Programme. The Plan acknowledges the important role played by urban and rural regeneration projects with regards climate action and this is reflected in specific regeneration policies and zoning objectives. Urban regeneration in particular focuses on reorganising and upgrading the existing built environment instead of planning new greenfield development. The valuable contribution made by urban and rural regeneration projects is reflected in the Governments Rural & Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

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    Chapter 12 – Climate Action Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 12-21 Dundalk 2020 involved collaboration between local authorities, agencies, professional organisations, businesses and local community groups, with the aim of reducing energy use, achieving energyefficiency targets and installing renewable energy where feasible. Dundalk 2020 is regarded as an exemplar project for future similar projects across Ireland. The Council acknowledges the role of the Plan in developing renewable energy projects within the County. Since the adoption of the Louth County Development Plan 2015-2021, the Council has granted planning permission for a number of solar farms within the County. These include Solar PV Energy Developments at Dunleer, Willville and Beaulieu House Estate, Drogheda. The Council recognises the range of new and developing technologies that can contribute to minimising greenhouse gas emissions, providing a secure and stable energy supply and securing a greater proportion of our energy from renewable sources. In particular, the Council recognises the significant contribution that wind energy can make as a clean sustainable solution to energy requirements and its vital role in helping achieve national targets in relation to fossil fuel reductions and consequently greenhouse gas emissions. The Council will also support and facilitate the development of solar energy, encourage passive solar design, solar PV, and solar water heating in new buildings and in retrofitting buildings. The policy objectives set out within this Plan support the key renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and bioenergy, subject to environmental considerations.

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