Regional strategy (RSES) · Northern and Western Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032
The regional strategy for the Northern and Western Region, including the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Northern and Western Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 320 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- RPO 4.13 The Assembly supports the implementation of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and the securing of adequate resources and investment to achieve this. RPO 4.14 Promote the development of integrated walking, cycling and bridle routes throughout the region as an activity for both international visitors and local tourists in a manner that is compatible with nature conservation and other environmental policies. RPO 4.15 To protect and preserve our Coastal Heritage, archaeological and built heritage, and to restore/regenerate our key coastal assets, including those within state ownership (e.g. OPW) as well as Discovery Points and Signature Points along the WAW. CASE STUDY CASE STUDY IN RURAL TOURISM: LEITRIM Slow Adventure in Northern Territories (SAINT) was a 2015-2018 Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA) project on the development of slow adventure. The project’s main aim was to extend the marketing reach of businesses in the slow adventure tourism sector, to encourage more tourists to come to these areas to enjoy and experience the outdoors and engage with remote, wild and nature-rich places.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 161 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- RENEWABLE ENERGY AND LOW CARBON FUTURE Energy is needed for economic growth, and access to affordable and reliable energy is an essential development objective. Historically most incremental energy demand has been met through fossil fuels, however in future that energy will have to be low carbon and ultimately zero-carbon. Decarbonisation can and needs to happen and it is an objective of the NPF that Ireland becomes a Low Carbon Economy by 2050. This reflects the Governments 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development and is also a binding EU requirement. Ireland’s national energy policy is focused on three pillars: sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness. In catering for the growth of this region and a move towards alternative energy sources, increased demand for land is likely to include suitable locations for energy, waste management, food production, forestry and other land services alongside the need to build more houses, schools and other facilities. The National Climate Change Adaptation Framework published in 2018 includes the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and avail of positive impacts. The necessary policies and measures are yet to be developed and while the majority of direction will come from national government, responsibility will also fall on the NWRA, the Climate Action Regional Officers, and our constituent local authorities to ensure that targets are being met through the Climate Adaption Framework. In addition, a National Climate Mitigation Plan contains specific measures to mitigate the effects of climate change across the transport, energy, built environment and agriculture sectors. The National Policy Position on Climate Action sets a fundamental national objective to achieve the transition to a competitive, low-carbon, climateresilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 through 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 land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 162 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- Figure 49: Windfarms and Hydro Stations in the Region The Climate Action Plan 2019 builds on the policy framework, measures and actions set out in the National Mitigation Plan, Project Ireland 2040 and the draft National Energy and Climate Plan. It sets out a clear ambition to deliver a step-change in our emissions performance over the coming decade, so that we will not only meet our EU targets for 2030 but will also be well placed to meet our midcentury decarbonisation objectives. It provides 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. Carbon pricing will play a key role in changing behaviour to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions as we cost-effectively transition to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The Climate Action Plan 2019 signals the commitment to implement a carbon tax rate of at least €80 per tonne by 2030, accompanied by a trajectory of increases over successive annual Budgets. It sends a strong signal of the need to invest in low-carbon alternatives, where possible. The potential effects of a low-carbon transition are thus manifold and complex. Competition for land resources needs careful management and the nature and rate of land-use change indicate where future environmental pressures are likely to arise. As an EU member state, as well as a signatory to the UN Paris Agreement, Ireland has committed itself to a reduction of greenhouse gases along with a multitude of other sustainability-related measures, including the development of renewable energy. Renewable energy can be defined as energy developed from sources that are constantly replenished through the cycles of nature and, unlike fossil fuels, are not finite. It is important that our region sets out its ambitions concerning renewable energy in this context and shows its ability to help contribute to achieving national targets.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 163 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- This builds on successes to date in the provision of renewable energy from hydropower and onshore wind energy infrastructure. Wind (onshore and offshore), hydro and solar photovoltaic are used to generate electricity, whilst wave and tidal have the potential to do so in the future. Geothermal and biomass can be harnessed to contribute to both heat and electricity. Biomass is particularly useful for the heat sector and can also be used to generate electricity. Biofuels and biodiesel can contribute to the transport sector. The forthcoming Renewable Electricity Policy and Development Framework will aim to identify strategic areas for the sustainable development of renewable electricity projects of scale, in a sustainable manner, compatible with environmental and cultural heritage, landscape and amenity considerations. The development of the Wind Energy Guidelines and the Renewable Electricity Development Plan will also facilitate informed decision making, in relation to renewable energy infrastructure. CASE STUDY BELMULLET/ERRIS TEST OR ENERGY HUB In terms of renewable energy Ireland has a unique ladder of development and test site infrastructure allowing developers to move from laboratory test facilities at the lir National Test facility in Cork to a quarter scale test bed in Galway Bay and to a full test facility at the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) near Belmullet, County Mayo. This is part of an international Regime of test sites including Hawaii, Ireland and Scotland. This international chain of test sites brings devices through the various technology readiness levels which ensures investment in the technology is made on a sound and standardised footing. It also illustrates the unique strategic position Ireland and this region has in relation tp offshore renewable energy. SEAI is developing the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) to facilitate the testing of full scale ocean energy converters both wind and wave, in an open ocean environment. It is located off Annagh head, west of Belmullet in Co Mayo and will be connected to the national grid, AMETS is an integral component of Irelands ocean energy strategy and test facilities and is being developed in accordance with the national Offshore Renewable Energy Plan (OREDP). AMETS will provide for full scale test opportunities in extreme Atlantic conditions and is intended as the ultimate test site for pre commercial stage devices. The site will be focused on wave energy and will provide two separate test locations at various depths of water to allow for a range of devices to be tested. It is envisaged that the test site will provide a grid connected national test facility, to which full scale wave energy converters could be coupled during their final stages of pre-commercial development. The test site will comprise of both onshore and offshore components.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 164 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- This region has the unique natural endowment of ample carbon-neutral, energy supplies that gives us an opportunity of forging and leading the new clean economy of the future. Incorporating this natural endowment in our Growth Framework along with innovation, business-friendliness and vision, coupled with our proximity to the UK and EU markets, the investment in clean technology must not be just seen as an environmental strategy, but an economic growth strategy. An opportunity presents for this region in pursuing a path towards a low carbon future. Focusing on four key pillars: 1. Growth - creating scale in the region for the industry to cluster, innovate and commercialise 2. Resources - we need a better understanding of the availability and use of our natural resources, technical capability, research and development, and technology commercialisation. A regional Energy Hub could be considered to integrate focus and investment. 3. Utilisation - efficient use of energy in domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. 4. Delivery - supporting infrastructural investment and regulatory frameworks are essential for unleashing the region’s potential. The shift to a low-carbon energy system has implications for the extent, nature and allocation of investment in the energy system. Zero-carbon energy options (for example wind, solar, hydro etc) tend to require greater up-front capital investments than fossil-fuel using options (eg coal or gas-fired power). Efficient use of resources is important to all parts of the region and in all sectors of the economy. Many of the companies involved in supplying the enabling advice or technologies operate from within this region. The Northern and Western region is particularly well placed to lead the way in the efficient use of resources and developing a low carbon economy. Ireland’s 2020 renewable energy target is to increase the share of final energy consumption made up of renewable energy sources (RES) to 16%. This target is broken into three key sectors with individual targets for each sector: 40% of electricity supply (RES-E), 12% of heating (RES-H), and 10% of transport (RES-T). Ireland also has a target of a 20% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020. Importantly, the 2030 EU Climate and Energy Package continues from the base set out in the 20-20-20 Agreement and proposes new targets and measures to make the EU’s economy and energy system more competitive, secure and sustainable. Three key targets for the year 2030 are: g At least 40% cuts in GHG emissions from 1990 levels. g At least 27% share for renewable energy. g At least 27% improvement in energy efficiency, with an increase to 30% being currently under negotiation.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 165 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- The region has a huge potential for growth in renewables, with its diverse and growing environmental goods and services sector, and not least because of the proactivity and drive with which it embraces this agenda. Demonstrating its commitment through the support of test sites, innovative green policies and investing in infrastructure to support a low carbon future. To achieve this, policies must encourage: g Practices to reduce the production of CO2. g Increase in our energy security. g Reduced cost of electrical power for domestic purposes, and regional development of valueadding of primary production. g Increased industry development of modern high-efficiency building materials. g Increased efficiency in the development of renewable energy production. g Improved efficiency of freight and passenger transport systems. g Greater protection of areas of high primary production value. g Greater protection of environmentally sensitive areas. g Increase cluster of R&D focused on technological application to renewable energy. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 4.16 The NWRA shall co-ordinate the identification of potential renewable energy sites of scale in collaboration with Local Authorities and other stakeholders within 3 years of the adoption of the RSES. The identification of such sites (which may extend to include energy storage solutions) will be based on numerous site selection criteria including environmental matters, and potential grid connections. RPO 4.17 To position the region to avail of the emerging global market in renewable energy by: g Stimulating the development and deployment of the most advantageous renewable energy systems g Supporting research and innovation g Encouraging skills development and transferability g Raising awareness and public understanding of renewable energy and encourage market opportunities for the renewable energy industry to promote the development and growth of renewable energy businesses g Encourage the development of the transmission and distribution grids to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects and the effective utilisation of the energy generated from renewable sources having regard to the future potential of the region over the lifetime of the Strategy and beyond.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 166 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- RPO 4.18 Support the development of secure, reliable and safe supplies of renewable energy, to maximise their value, maintain the inward investment, support indigenous industry and create jobs. RPO 4.19 Support the appropriate development of offshore wind energy production through the adequate provision of land-based infrastructure and services, in line with national policy and in a manner that is compatible with environmental, ecological and landscape considerations. RPO 4.20 Support and encourage the development of the bio-economy sector, and facilitate its development for energy production, heat, and storage distribution, in particular advocating Combined Heat and Power Units integrated into District Heating networks, in combination with Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS) or Bio-Energy Carbon capture and storage (BECCS) all to be done in collaboration with EPA and other regulators. RPO 4.21 Promote innovative new building design and retrofitting of existing buildings, both private properties, and publicly owned, to improve building energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources following National Regulations, and Policy. RPO 4.22 Safeguard and support the strategic role and function of existing test and development sites, for example, the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS). The test site forms part of Ireland’s Ocean Energy Strategy and is being developed following the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 167 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- AGRI-FOOD AND THE BIOECONOMY The agri-food sector is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland, employing 8.4% of the working population and achieving revenues of approximately €26 billion as of 2015. As an export-orientated industry, and one that is primarily based within our rural regions, the agri-food sector will continue to play an essential role in our rural economy, especially so within the Northern and Western Region. Agriculture has strong green credentials and maintaining this “green” brand image is critically important to the agri-food sector. The challenge will be to deliver upon the national policy objective of carbon neutrality in a way that does not compromise our capacity for sustainable food production. It will be necessary to change the way we do business to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon-removals whilst enhancing our competitiveness. Industry-wide solutions have yet to emerge on a widespread basis, sustainable agriculture development means solutions need to be incorporated into production practices systematically. NATIONAL POLICY Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) and Foodwise 2025 (FW2025) are two key policy statements at the national level that shape Ireland’s agriculture, food and drinks targets. The tagline used is ‘Smart, Green, Growth’ – act smart by investing in ideas, knowledge and skills, think green by maximising the benefits from our extensive, low-input grassbased production systems and achieve growth through minimising input and distribution costs and increasing our production. Some areas where the region can pursue differentiation and the application of technology and innovation include: g Improved sustainability and soil resilience. g Agriculture diversification, developing crops for sectors other than human and animal food. g Improving the standard of living of farmers and stockbreeders by the development of new business models. g Development of products with functions related to health. g Food security utilising rapid and safe techniques. g Development of the concept of bioeconomics. However, the importance of sustainability and protection of the environment in reaching these goals is also a key part of the plan. In this manner, the Government aims to grow the agricultural sector sustainably and innovatively.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 168 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- The three principal growth targets identified under FH2020 are: g Increasing the value of primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion (a 33% increase compared to 2007- 2009 average); g Increasing the value-added in the agri-food, fisheries and wood products sector by €3 billion (a 40% increase compared to 2008); and g Achieving an export target of €12 billion for the sector (a 42% increase compared to the 2007-2009 average). FH2020 also sets the dairy industry a target of 50% increase in milk production by 2020 from March 2015 when quotas were abolished. This has the potential to increase the need for additional slurry storage capacity should herd numbers increase, with potential impact on water consumption and water quality arising from the consequential increase in land-spreading of slurry. The number of farms has been steadily falling across the state for the last 100 years. However, the number of holdings within this region remains very substantial, currently approximately 60,000 (See Table 9 below). Dairy and beef farming remain a critical part of the rural economy across our region, with multiple businesses associated with these farms and agri-food is a significant and growing element of the production, for domestic, and increasingly overseas markets. Table 9: Farmholdings (Source: CSO Farm Survey, 2010) County Number of Farms Cavan 5,300 Monaghan 4,600 Donegal 9,200 Sligo 4,400 Leitrim 3,700 Mayo 12,500 Roscommon 6,300 Galway 13,500 Approx Total 59,500Northern & Western Regional Assembly 169 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
- Figure 50: SME Supports INNOVATION The agri-food sector is entering into a period of radical transformation underpinned by smart farming practices, growth in global demand and consumer sophistication. The agri-food sector is undoubtedly a major industry within the northern and western region. It falls predominantly within the broad industrial category of ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’, which amounts to 7.5% of the total numbers of persons employed in the region. This is compared to the State average of 4.4%, highlighting the heightened importance of the sector to the regional economy. The Agri-Food sector is vital to the region and particularly to Counties Monaghan and Cavan. For example, the agri-food industry alone accounts for over 60% of Monaghan’s employment and 90% of the food produced within the county is exported. Whilst the sector is well established in the Central Border Region, there is undoubtedly room for further growth in the area with annual economic growth at 4%. Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) will provide much of this growth over the next 10 years, and these types of businesses must be supported. Given the majority of these companies are located outside of our main identified Urban Centres, sectoral expansion in agri-food must be facilitated in our Rural Towns, and Villages, where it is already well established in places such as Bailieborough and Lough Egish, and Virginia with the existing agri-food cluster of Glanbia and AW Ennis feeds. The work of enterprise agencies and education providers shall play an important role in supporting innovation. Teagasc is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry. They deliver courses through their colleges and local centres, with higher-level courses also being delivered in partnership with third-level colleges. Demonstratable examples across the region include Ballyhaise Agricultural College, which is one of the five Teagasc colleges nationally, and the Athenry campus which provides Research, Development and Innovation support to the sector. These centres are well placed to provide regional food incubation space and new levels of innovation to support employment growth.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 170 4 Growth Ambition 1: Economy and Employment – Vibrant Region
Source Northern and Western Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032 (January 2020) · 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.