Chapter 10: Climate Change Strategy

Grouped Themed Submission no. 9- Miscellaneous Issues

Section 10.4

Amend Section 10.4 Policy Context to insert the following body text at the end of the section (just before 10.5.1):

Meath Climate Action Strategy

The Meath Climate Action Strategy covers the period from 2019-2025 and aims to support businesses, social enterprises, public bodies and communities to change their energy systems to produce a climate resilient economy. The Strategy focuses on changes to key areas such as mobility, the built environment, clean energy, resource management, water and natural resources identifying methods by which Meath County Council can support change in these areas. 

Grouped Themed Submission no. 9 - Miscellaneous Issues

Section 10.4

Amend Section 10.4 Policy Context to insert the following body text at the end of the section and before paragraph on Meath Climate Action Strategy:

Climate Action Plan 2019 To Tackle Climate Breakdown.

The Climate Action Plan is a national policy document adopted in 2019. The Plan identifies the critical nature of the challenge faced as a result of global warming. The Plan underpins this ambition to deliver a step-change in our emissions performance over the coming decade by setting out clear 2030 targets for each sector and the expected emissions savings that will result. The overall aim will allow Ireland to meet its EU targets for 2030 and will also be well placed to meet our mid-century decarbonisation objectives.

(FTF) NOM 17 
Cllr. Alan Tobin

Section 10.4
Policy Context

Amend Section 10.4 to include the following body text (after paragraph on UNFCCC (1992)):

10.4 Policy Context

The European Green Deal 

The European Green Deal plans to make the EU's economy sustainable and climate neutral by 2050 and position the EU as a Global leader. This will be achieved by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities, and making the transition just and inclusive for all. The goals of the Green Deal will be enshrined in law. Actions under the Green Deal include:

• The Just Transition Mechanism: making sure no one is left behind
• Investing in Climate neutral and circular economy
• EU funded projects to green the economy
• A Climate Pact
• Circular Economy Action Plan
• EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
• Renovation Wave
• Methane Strategy
• Offshore Renewable Energy
• A new European Bauhaus
• Chemicals Strategy for sustainability
• European Year of Rail 2021
• From Farm to Fork

MH-C5-126
Friends of the Irish Environment

Section 10.5
Climate Change Objectives

Amend Climate Change Objective 1 as follows;

To support the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 National Climate Change Strategy and to facilitate measures which seek to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in the Electricity, Enterprise, Built Environment, Transport, Agriculture and Waste sector.

a. Reducing Meath County Councils emissions by 33% by 2020.

b. Reducing CO2 emissions of the county by at least 40% by 2030

2. To support the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 National Climate Change Strategy and the National Climate Change Adaption Framework Building Resilience to Climate Change 2012 through the County Development Plan and through the preparation of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders

(FTF) NOM 19
Cllr. Alan Tobin

Section 10.4

Amend Section 10.4 Policy Context to insert the following body text at the end of the section and before paragraph on Meath Climate Action Strategy and after Climate Action Plan 2019:
 

Just Transition Fund

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a key pillar of the government’s just transition plan for the Midlands region. A 2020 fund will be available for projects focusing on retraining workers and proposals to generate sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region, and supporting communities to transition to a low carbon economy.

The objective of the Just Transition Fund 2020 call is to fund innovative projects that contribute to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Wider Midlands region and which have employment and enterprise potential. It will support projects that take a whole-of-Midlands strategic approach and complement other sources of public funding.

The scope of the fund is limited in the context of County Meath, given its particular relevance to the Midlands region and the re-skilling of Peat Production workers. Notwithstanding this, the Council supports the ethos of climate justice and would welcome the opportunity to partner and collaborate with both the public and private sector on ‘Just Transition’ projects where opportunities arise.

Grouped Themed Submission no. 9- Miscellaneous Issues

Section 10.6.2

Delete INF POL 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 29 & 30, INF OBJ 25 and associated text from Section 10.6.2 Energy and Waste Infrastructure  as follows;

INF POL 19

To implement the findings and recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment prepared in conjunction with the County Development Plan review, ensuring climate change is taken into account.

INF POL 20

To require that a Flood Risk Assessment is carried out for any development proposal, where flood risk may be an issue in accordance with the “Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (DoECLG/OPW, 2009). This assessment shall be appropriate to the scale and nature of risk to and from the potential development and shall consider the impact of climate change.

INF POL 24

To ensure that flood risk management is incorporated into the preparation of Local Area Plans in accordance with 'The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009)'.

INF POL 26

To undertake a review of the ‘Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for County Meath’ in light of the completed flood mapping which has been developed as part of the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study.

INF OBJ 25

To require the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to minimise and limit the extent of hard surfacing and paving and require the use of sustainable drainage techniques where appropriate, for new development or for extensions to existing developments, in order to reduce the potential impact of existing and predicted flooding risks.

INF OBJ 27

To encourage the use of Green Roof technology particularly on apartment, commercial, leisure and educational buildings.

INF POL 29

To facilitate the provision of new, or the reinforcement of existing flood defences and protection measures where necessary and in particular to support the implementation of flood schemes being progressed through the planning process during the lifetime of the Plan. The provision of flood defences will be subject to the outcome of the Appropriate Assessment process. If adverse effects on European Site integrity are identified, alternative locations and/designs will be developed to ensure that flood defence structures will not adversely affect the integrity of European Sites, either alone or in combination with any other plans or projects. If, despite the implementation of mitigation measures, there remains a risk that the proposals will adversely affect the integrity of the European Sites, the project will not be progressed unless an alternative solution can be implemented which avoids/reduces the impact to a level that the integrity of the European Site(s) is(are)_unaffected. It is reasonable to assume that at the detailed design stage any potential for a project to impact on European Sites could, and will, be resolved through the exploration of alternatives locations or designs while still fulfilling their function/role.

INF OBJ 30

To ensure the County’s natural coastal defences, such as beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and estuary lands, are protected and are not compromised by inappropriate works or forms of development
 

and relocate to Section 10.6.3. on Water Resource Management.
 

INF POL 19

To implement the findings and recommendations of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment prepared in conjunction with the County Development Plan review, ensuring climate change is taken into account.

INF POL 20

To require that a Flood Risk Assessment is carried out for any development proposal, where flood risk may be an issue in accordance with the “Planning System and Flood Risk Management – Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (DoECLG/OPW, 2009). This assessment shall be appropriate to the scale and nature of risk to and from the potential development and shall consider the impact of climate change.

INF POL 24

To ensure that flood risk management is incorporated into the preparation of Local Area Plans in accordance with 'The Planning System and Flood Risk Management - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009)'.

INF POL 26

To undertake a review of the ‘Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for County Meath’ in light of the completed flood mapping which has been developed as part of the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study.

INF OBJ 25

To require the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to minimise and limit the extent of hard surfacing and paving and require the use of sustainable drainage techniques where appropriate, for new development or for extensions to existing developments, in order to reduce the potential impact of existing and predicted flooding risks.

INF OBJ 27

To encourage the use of Green Roof technology particularly on apartment, commercial, leisure and educational buildings.

INF POL 29

To facilitate the provision of new, or the reinforcement of existing flood defences and protection measures where necessary and in particular to support the implementation of flood schemes being progressed through the planning process during the lifetime of the Plan. The provision of flood defences will be subject to the outcome of the Appropriate Assessment process. If adverse effects on European Site integrity are identified, alternative locations and/designs will be developed to ensure that flood defence structures will not adversely affect the integrity of European Sites, either alone or in combination with any other plans or projects. If, despite the implementation of mitigation measures, there remains a risk that the proposals will adversely affect the integrity of the European Sites, the project will not be progressed unless an alternative solution can be implemented which avoids/reduces the impact to a level that the integrity of the European Site(s) is(are)_unaffected. It is reasonable to assume that at the detailed design stage any potential for a project to impact on European Sites could, and will, be resolved through the exploration of alternatives locations or designs while still fulfilling their function/role.

INF OBJ 30

To ensure the County’s natural coastal defences, such as beaches, sand dunes, salt marshes and estuary lands, are protected and are not compromised by inappropriate works or forms of development

MH-C5-430
Eirgrid

Section 10.6.2

Remove from the Key Risks column under Section 10.6.2 Energy and Waste Infrastructure the following:

• Reduction in the capacity of distribution and transmission lines in higher temperatures, may reduce efficiency and increase costs