Tipperary County Development Plan 2022–2028

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 32 Table 2.5: Strategic Objectives Reference Strategic Objective Relevant UN SDG(s) supported SO - 1 To support the just transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally-sustainable and climate-neutral economy. SO - 2 To facilitate and promote the development of Clonmel, Nenagh and Thurles as Key Towns, economic drivers and significant population and service centres for the Southern Region. SO – 3 To support the implementation of the County Settlement Hierarchy, in regenerating our towns and villages, creating vibrant town centres, attracting new residents and delivering quality residential neighbourhoods. SO - 4 To facilitate the development of active, connected and socially inclusive communities, where affordable and quality housing is provided in line with the needs of the population, and integrated with the delivery of community and social infrastructure. SO - 5 To promote, support and enable sustainable and diverse economic development, and foster new and innovative opportunities, harnessing the talent of our workforce and communities.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 33 SO - 6 To support a sustainable, diverse and resilient rural economy, whilst integrating the sustainable management of land and natural resources. SO - 7 To protect, enhance and connect areas of natural heritage, blue and green infrastructure and waterbodies, for quality of life, biodiversity, species and habitats, while having regard to climate change adaptation and flood risk management measures. SO - 8 To support, value and protect our Artistic, Cultural and Built Heritage for future generations and to recognise its key role in our economy. SO - 9 To enhance connectivity and promote sustainable transport, through the integration of land-use and transport planning and promotion of and prioritisation of public transport and walking and cycling. SO - 10 To protect existing infrastructural assets and utilities, and the strategic function of the existing national road and rail network, and associated junctions and support investment in strategic infrastructure both at the county, and the regional level thereby ensuring Tipperary’s access to key services for economic growth and resilience.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 34 3.0 Low-Carbon Society & Climate Action 3.1 Introduction The current Programme for Government under its ‘Green New Deal’ has committed to a 7% per annum reduction in overall Green House Gases (GHGs) from 2021 to 2030, which equates to a 51% reduction. This ambitious target has emerged from, and is supported by EU and national legislation. It is transformative, wide-ranging and ground-breaking, and will require significant changes for us all, in how we live and do business. It will also offer new opportunities for employment and will create a better quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Importantly, it will be tailored to ensure a ‘Just Transition’ for everyone in society having consideration to their means. The Council will seek to support the national emissions reduction target of 7% per annum in Tipperary’s own response. This chapter sets out how the Plan has embedded climate action through cross cutting policies, and objectives, across all sectors, and through actions for sustainable development that will support emissions reductions. These will support the strategic objectives of the Plan to support a transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally-sustainable and climate-neutral economy by 2050 in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act (DECC, 2021). 3.2 International, National and Regional Policy 3.2.1 EU Frameworks The first international movement for climate action was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that came into force in 1994, its purpose was to stabilise GHGs to prevent interference with the climate system. This was followed by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol19 which was significant as it introduced binding targets for countries for GHG emissions reductions. The Paris Agreement in 2015 set further legally binding goals relating to the holding of global temperature and climate resilience, along with a framework for financial, technical and capacity 19 Supports the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gases emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets. Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing all of us. However, by taking actions across all sectors of the community and as a society, we will slow down the effects of climate change, and be prepared to cope with its impacts. In addition, a transition to a ‘Green’ economy and society will bring benefits in the form of new jobs, economic innovation, enhanced environment and better quality of life.

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 35 building supports consistent with low-carbon development. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve this longterm temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of GHG as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century. The EU ‘Green Deal’ was agreed in 2020, as a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission, with the overarching aim of making Europe climate neutral in 2050. Climate action initiatives under the EU Green Deal include: • To introduce European Climate Law to enshrine the 2050 climate-neutrality objective. • European Climate Pact to engage citizens and all parts of society in climate action. • 2030 Climate Target Plan to further reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% and towards 55% by 2030 (as opposed to 60% by 2050 under the Paris Agreement). 3.2.2 Key National and Regional Frameworks The National Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, (Government of Ireland, 2015) sets out a pathway for a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy, by transformative reduction in GHG emissions, and by adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Following on from this, the National Climate Action Plan (DECC, 2019) seeks to make Ireland a climate resilient and environmentally sustainable society and economy by 2050. The Council has a key role in this vison by acting as a leader through its own local mitigation and adaptation strategy, by providing support for flagship and pilot projects and skills, and by the development of this Plan. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act (DECC, 2021) will support Ireland’s transition to a net-zero and climate neutral economy by 2050, and is aligned with national targets for GHG reductions. The Act introduces a requirement for the Council to prepare a Climate Action Plan to be updated at least every five years. As part of this process, the Council will seek to ensure that the Plan and the Climate Action Plan are consistent with each other, along with the mitigation measures set out in the spatial planning framework of the Plan, to include: • Green adaptation actions seek to use ecological properties to enhance the resilience of human and natural systems in the face of climate change. • Grey adaptation typically involves technical or engineering-oriented response. • Soft adaptation actions involve alterations in behaviour, regulation or systems of management, such as land-use planning policy. The NPF, through its National Strategic Outcomes, supports the National Climate Change Mitigation Plan (DECC, 2017) and the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (DECC, 2018). GHG

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 36 emissions targets will be achieved through the following pathways; low-carbon transport and mobility, a focus on renewable energy production, better digital connectivity and support for our natural environment in functions such as flood risk management and carbon storage etc. In its vision for the southern region, the RSES seeks to build on the NPF Strategic Outcomes and combat climate change as integral to its overall strategy for the region. The RSES recognises Tipperary as an early leader in climate action and the green economy and the Council will seek to provide a framework for the county to support our national ambitions and to enhance the quality of life of people in the county. 3.2.3 Climate Action Regional Office Tipperary forms part of the eastern and midlands CARO along with 17 other counties. The CARO supports each local authority in the region in climate action and sets out to: • Drive climate action & build capacity within the local government sector • Coordinate engagement across various agencies and government departments • Translate sectoral efforts to local level • Build on climate action experience & expertise The Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) have provided support in the preparation of the Climate Adaptation Strategy 2019 and for the preparation of this Plan, and will further support the Council in the preparation of a new Climate Action Plan for the county. 3.3 Local Climate Action Policy 3.3.1 Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019 The Council adopted a Climate Change Adaption Strategy in 2019, with consideration of risks, impacts and opportunities to Tipperary as a result of a changing climate, and a set of strategic measures and objectives to help build resilience across its services. The Strategy notes that as an inland county, the likelihood of extreme storms and heat waves, accompanied by dry spells, will pose the greatest challenges to Tipperary, with potential impacts including: • Economic: Infrastructural damages (buildings, roads) and work interruptions/stoppages due to extreme events. • Social: Damage to community and social facilities. • Environmental and Heritage: Impact on archaeological heritage, habitats and species. • Public Safety: Harm to human life. However, the Tipperary Climate Change Adaption Strategy 2019 also notes that Climate Change could bring benefits to Ireland in the form of longer growing seasons, benefits for the tourism

6. Page 46

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 37 economy as a result of better weather and new jobs in the green economy etc. The approach to how climate change is addressed in the Strategy is based around six areas: • Local adaptation governance and business operations • Infrastructure and built environment • Land use and development • Drainage and flood management • Natural resources and cultural infrastructure • Sustaining our communities 3.3.2 Tipperary as a Leader The Council became a Member of the Global Covenant of Mayors20 in 2015, thereby committing to CO2 emissions reduction across its services. The Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is a voluntary approach for local governments to combat climate change and move towards a low emission and climate resilient society, and membership reflects our commitment to climate change. Since then, the county has moved towards a broader vision of sustainability using its strengths and assets. In 2016, after extensive stakeholder consultation, a progressive Tipperary Renewable Energy Strategy was adopted, and is the cornerstone of renewable energy planning policy for the county, as set out in Volume 3. Tipperary is the location of the first community owned wind farm in Ireland at Templederry, supporting the county as the island’s 4th largest producer of electricity from wind. There are a number of Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) across the county. There are also exciting emerging initiatives, such as the National Bioeconomy Campus at Lisheen, Thurles, the proposed Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy, Nenagh and the proposal for the Technological University of Shannon (TUS), Thurles Campus to have a specific focus on sustainable development, including the recent establishment of the Sustainable Development Research Institute. The proposed Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy, Nenagh, received funding in 2021, under the URDF as part of an overall vision for regeneration for the town centre. It will build on partnership between the Council, Tipperary Energy Agency, North Tipperary Development Company, Community Power and Limerick Institute of Technology. The Centre will be a national destination of learning and education for sustainable energy technologies. The Centre will be housed in a state of the art ‘demonstrator’ building, with space for social and sustainable energy professionals and researchers, and acting as a pilot centre for innovation in active and smart grid technology. 20 https://www.covenantofmayors.eu/

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 38 Figure 3.1: Proposed Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Energy, Nenagh A dedicated ‘Energy Management and Climate Action Committee’, supported by the Tipperary Energy Agency, has assisted the organisation in achieving an emissions reduction of almost 50% across Council services, and enabling a much greater understanding of climate action among staff. In addition, with the support of the committee, the Council has invested in renewable energy technologies in the delivery of its services i.e. solar energy, biomass heating of public facilities etc. 3.4 Key Areas for Change The next step is the preparation of a Plan that enables transformative change in terms of emissions reductions that considers both climate mitigation and adaptation, supports economic growth and reflects the broader ambitions of the county. The key areas of change as set out align with the Programme for Government, consider the provisions of the NPF (and any review thereof), and are addressed below. 3.4.1 Bioeconomy, Peatlands and Agriculture It is an objective of the RSES to support the role of Tipperary in an expanding bioeconomy sector in Ireland, and this is strongly supported by the Council as centred on the National Bioeconomy Campus in Lisheen. Along with the bioeconomy, the potential for the expansion of afforestation, particularly ‘Close to Nature’ forestry and agroforestry is supported for the county with the potential synergies with activity-based tourism and recreation. Tipperary has extensive areas of industrial cut-over peatland, and it is noted that peat-fired electricity generation will be phased out in line with the Government’s Climate Action Plan (DECC, 2019). The

8. Page 48

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 39 Council recognises the potential of these industrial peatlands in relation to after uses and jobs opportunity, ranging from amenity, tourism, biodiversity services, ‘wild areas’, flood management, climate mitigation, energy development, industry, education, conservation and many more. The Council supports the preparation of a framework plan for the industrial peatlands, and will work with all stakeholders, including Bord na Mona, involved in the process in this regard. Peatlands are further addressed in Chapter 11 Environment and Natural Assets. The Council acknowledges the importance of agriculture as part of our rural economy, and its importance in carbon capture, and will support national programmes for sustainable agriculture as a key component in a sustainable and low-carbon economy. The Plan addresses agriculture and the bioeconomy in Chapter 8 Enterprise and Rural Development, and Chapter 10 Renewable Energy and Bioeconomy. 3.4.2 Disruptive Technologies, Innovation in the Economy and Renewable Energy The Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of supporting fresh, disruptive ideas to help meet our GHG emissions reduction targets, and the need for a transformational programme of research and development, to deliver cutting-edge scientific and technological innovation. Leading on from this, the Council supports innovation in terms of technologies, and opportunities for new and innovative jobs opportunities for Tipperary, that will significantly alter the way we live and do business. Tipperary already has a reputation for innovation in climate action, and energy related research, through its third level institutes, the Tipperary Energy Agency, and private sector companies and communities. The Council will seek to support these innovations and to support an innovative economy with its partners, including with the TUS campuses at Thurles and Clonmel. Furthermore, the Council seeks to encourage innovation and new technologies that will support new ways to generate renewable energy, to ensure carbon sequestration, to deliver energy storage etc. The Council will support the achievement of Ireland 2030 targets for the production of renewable energy as set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (DECC) and any review thereof, including the national target for 70% of electricity to be from renewable sources. This is further addressed in Chapter 10 Renewable Energy and Bioeconomy, and in the Renewable Energy Strategy set out in Volume 3. 3.4.3 Sustainable Settlements and Spatial Energy Demand Analysis The settlement hierarchy of towns and villages is the foundation stone for sustainable future settlement in Tipperary. The settlement strategy is further supported by a suite of spatial planning policies that will positively influence new settlement, in terms of minimising carbon footprint including; compact growth, sustainable density, 10-minute towns, integrated land-use and transport planning, support for remote working, reuse of building stock and regeneration etc. New development over a

9. Page 49

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   TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 40 certain scale will be required to submit a ‘Sustainability Statement’21 to illustrate overall sustainability in line with the core strategy of the Plan. Planning Sustainable Towns In addition, there is an opportunity for more detailed planning at the local level during the preparation of LAPs for the Key Towns and the District Towns, and each will be supported by the preparation of a Spatial Energy Demand Analysis (SEDA). SEDA involves analysing the energy demand within a given area, and creates a spatial visualisation of this information, resulting in evidence-based energy maps which can be used as a tool to create effective policies and actions to influence future energy use. This approach will be carried out and will inform future plans, and will examine key local issues and opportunities such as district heating, local energy consumption and heat mapping, waste management, local renewable energy production, retrofitting programme etc. It will also have a role in education, support and outreach, and help support local communities to become ‘Climate Active Communities’ themselves (see Section 3.4.8). 3.4.4 Sustainable Transport and Active Travel Sustainable transport and active travel are a key focus of the Programme for Government as illustrated by the commitment of an allocation of 10% of the total transport capital budget for cycling projects, and an allocation of 10% of the total capital budget for pedestrian infrastructure. Key areas of focus and change include: • unprecedented modal shift in all areas by a reorientation of investment to walking, cycling and public transport, • Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan, • Accelerating the electrification of the transport system, including electric bikes, electric vehicles, and electric public transport. It is also an objective of the Council to prepare a framework for sustainable transport with targets for modal shift and with the preparation of LTPs and Active Travel Plans, as the case may be, for the Key Towns and District Towns. In addition, the Council will seek to support actions that encourage and enhance rural connectivity and transport in Tipperary. Active travel is further addressed in Chapter 12 Sustainable Transport. 21 Volume 3, Appendix 6 Section 1.4

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    TIPPERARY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2028 VOLUME 1 41 3.4.5 Energy Efficiency in Built Fabric and Micro-Generation The Programme for Government sets out to deliver a new ‘National Aggregated Model of Retrofitting’ reaching over 500,000 homes by 2030 and to incentivise micro generation, including roof-top solar energy. The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009-2020 (DCENR, 2009) recognises that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The Council is committed to supporting sustainable building practices considering: • The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) Directive, • Part L Building Regulations: Conservation of fuel and energy in buildings, • Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland Planning for 2020 and Beyond (DHLGH, 2012) and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU). The Council will support high levels of energy conservation, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in existing and new buildings, including retro-fitting of energy efficiency measures in the existing building stock. The reuse of existing building stock will be supported as a first principle where possible. The support for micro-generation of renewable energy by householders, communities and businesses is also strongly encouraged by the Council, and further addressed in the Renewable Energy Strategy as set out in Volume 3 Appendix 2. 3.4.6 Nature-Based Solutions The use of nature-based water management solutions, urban greening and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) will be required by the Council, as a normal part of new development and as part of public realm and town centre enhancement in Tipperary, as addressed in Chapters 7 Town Centres and Place-making, and Chapter 11 Environmental and Natural Assets. Carbon-capture systems include sustainable forestry, native tree planting and better management of peatland and soils, to support carbon sequestration and enhancement of biodiversity. The Council will support innovation in the use of natural carbon capture systems as a normal part of new development, as further addressed in Chapter 11 Environment and Natural Assets. 3.4.7 Circular Economy Meeting climate targets requires a transformation in the way we produce and use goods, and making less ‘stuff’ or making ‘stuff’ with fewer resources, has a key role to play in climate action. The NPF supports the ‘Circular Economy’ concept which recognises that resources are scarce, and which aims to maintain the value of products, materials and resources through reuse, renewal and repair, to minimise waste. The ‘Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy’ (DECC, 2020) is Ireland’s

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