Citizens Leading the Energy & Climate Transition

Transcription

1 Citizens Leading the Energy & Climate Transition 18 th September 2018 The Local Authorities Approach to Climate Action Louis Duffy, Director of Services, Environment et.al., Cork County Council

2 Climate Change Not only is it real, it's here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster. Barack Obama April 3 rd 2006

3 Increasing frequency of Extreme Weather Events 3

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6 Climate Change Advisory Council Annual Review 2018 Irish greenhouse gas emissions are rising rather than falling: Instead of achieving the required reduction of 1 million tonnes per year in CO 2, emissions are increasing at a rate of 2 million tonnes per year Rise occurred across all sectors National Planning framework and National Development Plan may help the transition We must develop resilience Capacity to respond to climate change Reduce Negative impacts Take advantage of positive outcomes Adaptation will require a partnership between Government, the public and the private sector.

7 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 Legislative background Transition to Low-carbon Climate-resilient Environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 Basis for: National Mitigation Plan National Adaptation Framework

8 National Mitigation Plan, July 2017 Policy to manage GHG emissions: Electricity generation Built environment Transport Agriculture & forestry National and International targets 106 actions, Local Authorities Lead one: Establish regional climate action offices to coordinate Local Authority response

9 National Adaptation Framework January 2018 Policy for strategic adaptation response to climate change 12 Actions identified, among them: Each local authority to make and adopt local adaptation strategies based on a regional governance approach to adaptation planning (30 th Sept 2019) Advance proposals to establish regional climate action offices to coordinate Local Authority response to climate change

10 Need for Shared Service Coordinated National Approach for development of Climate Change Plans Reporting and Governance at Regional, National and International levels. Facilitate Community attitudinal and behavioural change Foster interagency collaboration and support Address identified weaknesses in the sector Coordinated sectoral research linked to third level institutions Effective link with the new National Planning Framework Develop as Centres of Excellence in Climate Action - adaptation and mitigation - focusing on regional risks

11 Climate Action Regional Offices a Local Government initiative supported by Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment 4 geographical/topographical regions, based on climate risk

12 Regional Climate Action Offices Atlantic Seaboard North Mayo County Council Atlantic Seaboard South Cork County Council Dublin Metropolitan Dublin City Council Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Fingal County Council South Dublin County Council Eastern & Midlands Kildare County Council

13 Climate Action regional Offices January 2018, 10 million in funding over 5 years announced for Regional offices Service Level Agreements with DCCAE Governance structure in place Recruitment of Staff underway Service Level Agreements with Local Authorities. Liaison with Central Government, EPA, OPW, MET - focused and efficient

14 Staff of 4 reporting to DoS Environment in each Region Tasks for CAROs Formulation of Adaptation Plan Templates Advising local authorities on the formulation and implementation of individual Local Plans Providing expertise and capacity at local/regional level Central role in facilitating the National Dialogue Regional training to LA staff by Climate Ireland/ MaREI Awareness training at Senior Management Level Establishment of Baseline Information in Local Authorities Managing Adaptation and resourcing for the future Asset Management Climate Action Regional Offices

15 National Dialogue Create awareness engagement and motivation to act Create structures and information flows discuss and gain consensus Form networks to consider evidence-based inputs on the economic, social, behavioural, environmental public aspects of climate and energy policy Provide regular input into prioritisation and implementation of climate and energy policy Administrative support provided by EPA. Green Schools National Climate Change Action and Awareness programme is a key part run by An Taisce. 15

16 Local Authority Role Broad remit in Community and economic development Implement key actions under both the NAF/NMP Key player in the implementation of sectoral strategies at local level Opportunities for enterprise and local development Public education and awareness initiatives Adopt Local Adaptation Strategy by September 2019 EPA Guidelines published 2016, being revised - Q4, step process 2. Assessing future climate risk 3. Identifying and 1. Assessing the current baseline 4. Developing an adaptation pathway map prioritising adaptation options 5. Monitoring and reviewing the adaptation strategy