Introduction
Climate change is one of the most pressing global public policy challenges facing governments today.
The Four Main Targets of this Plan are
- 33% improvement in the Council's energy efficiency by 2020
- Make Dublin a climate-resilient region by reducing the impacts of future climate change-related events
- 40% reduction in the Council's greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
- Actively engage and inform our citizens on climate change
Climate change is one of the most pressing global public policy challenges facing governments today. Its impacts are already having far-reaching economic, social and environmental consequences. International agreements, most recently the Conference of the Parties (COP) 21 Agreement in Paris, have been developed to unify national governments in a commitment to reduce the human causes of climate change.
The Irish Government has published the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015[1], the National Mitigation Plan[2], the National Adaptation Framework[3], Project Ireland 2040 (the National Planning Framework[4] and the National Development Plan). These set out how Ireland will achieve its international and European commitments, and transition Ireland to a low-carbon society. To provide local authorities with support in developing their Climate Change Action Plans (CCAPs), the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) has developed the Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guidelines 2018[5]. In addition, the government has established four Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), each led by a local authority.
The four Dublin Local Authorities (DLAs) - Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council - are developing their Climate Change Action Plans collaboratively through Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency. These plans are being developed on the initiative of the Councils’ respective Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs).
Dublin City Council (DCC) is on track to meet the public sector target of a 33% improvement in energy efficiency by 2020; this is an average improvement in energy efficiency of approximately 3% per year in the Council’s own buildings and operations. The DLAs are all signatories to the EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative, which is a voluntary commitment by members to develop and implement Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and reduce their regions’ greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 40% by 2030. DCC will apply this target to its own operations but will also influence a reduction in GHGs throughout the City, by leading by example and working with key stakeholders and decision makers.
DCC will also help to make Dublin a climate-resilient region and protect its critical infrastructure by reducing the impacts of current and future climate change-related events by working in close collaboration with the other DLAs, the Dublin CARO, regional authorities and national bodies.
These commitments to reducing the causes and impacts of climate change need to be integrated into the decision making for planning, policies and operational processes within the local authority. This can be achieved by providing staff with the training and tools required to make informed choices.
Finally, as citizens are crucial for solutions to climate change, DCC will set out to actively inform and engage the public through a range of innovative programmes and partnerships and, where possible, facilitate bottom-up, community-led solutions.
The Five Key Action Areas of this Plan
1. Energy & Buildings
Including
- Public lighting upgrades
- Building retrofits with energy performing guarantees
- Energy master-planning
2. Transport
Including
- Electrification of Council fleet
- Constructing segregated cycle routes
- Expanding bike share schemes
3. Flood Resilience
Including
- Building flood defences
- Flood resilient urban design
- Coordinating emergency response plans
- Carrying out flood awareness campaigns
4. Nature-Based Solutions
Including
- Developing green infrastructure
- Protecting native species
- Maintaining public parks
5. Resource Management
Including
- Waste prevention initiatives with staff and the public
- Water conservation
- Smart bins
Opportunities for making Dublin a Low Carbon, Climate-Resilient City
Economic
- By adapting to climate change now, we can ensure that all future plans are climate-proofed and associated opportunities maximised.
- By becoming climate leaders, we are attractive to foreign direct investment from companies with a green corporate agenda.
- By using local solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, we can upskill our workers and generate employment.
- By implementing innovative solutions, we can avail of climate-related EU grants and reduce future fines.
- By using indigenous, sustainable sources for our energy needs, we can reduce our reliance on foreign fossil fuels.
Environmental
- By using nature-based solutions to adapt to climate risks, we can increase the green infrastructure of the City.
- By improving our public transport and cycle networks, we reduce congestion and pollution.
- By increasing resilience, we can protect our native flora and fauna.
- By implementing mitigation and adaption actions now, we lessen the potential impacts on the environment in the future.
- By using nature-based solutions with, or instead of, hard engineering, we can reduce the associated costs of climate action.
Social
- By improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock, we can reduce tenants' utility bills and lessen fuel poverty.
- By encouraging cycling and walking, we can improve the health of our citizens.
- By protecting against climate risks, we can reduce impacts on citizens, their properties and our services.
- By informing citizens on the impacts on climate change and possible solutions in their areas, we can create networks of climate-resilient neighbourhoods.
- By increasing nature-based solutions, we can make the City a healthier and more desirable place to live and work.