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Executive Summary
xiii
Ensuring that Ireland’s water resources are of good quality
is vital for public health, the agri-food industry, tourism
and inward investment. There is a particular challenge
ahead to deliver the production increases planned
under the
Food Harvest 2020
strategy in a manner that
does not prevent Ireland from meeting its international
obligations in relation to water.
Sustainable Resource Use, Consumption and
Waste
Since 2008, there have been sharp decreases in Ireland
in commercial and household waste volumes, in line
with the downturn in consumption and economic
growth. Waste volumes associated with the construction
sector have collapsed by 81% since 2007. Industrial
waste (including hazardous wastes) volumes are stable,
reflecting the relative stability of Ireland’s manufacturing
industry, the main contributor to this waste stream.
Ireland has achieved its EU waste recycling and recovery
targets for waste packaging; for waste electronic and
electrical equipment; and for household waste paper,
metals, plastic and glass. Ireland has also achieved the
first target for diversion of biodegradable waste from
landfill as required under the EU Landfill Directive.
However, Ireland has failed to meet the EU re-use and
recovery targets for end-of-life vehicles.
The waste collection sector has changed dramatically in
the past four years, with the majority of local authorities
exiting the domestic waste collection market. Moreover,
as of 2012, virtually all households on a collection service
are now offered at least a two-bin service (dry recyclables
and residual), and 34% of serviced households are
offered a three-bin collection (includes organics bin).
Ireland’s first merchant municipal waste incinerator
commenced operation in 2011, and the use of waste-
derived fuels in industrial energy plants has grown
significantly. However, 15 of Ireland’s 28 operational
municipal landfills will run out of consented capacity in
three years, and there is only 12 years’ gross municipal
landfill disposal capacity in the State. Ireland continues to
export nearly half of its hazardous waste for treatment/
disposal.
The recently transposed EU Waste Directive (98/2008/EU)
will have a profound influence on waste management
practices and policy for the foreseeable future. In addition,
the increasing levy on disposal of waste to landfill is
driving post-consumption management options up the
waste hierarchy towards more sustainable behaviours.
Nature and Biodiversity
Humanity is dependent on nature for survival. Its
protection is also of ethical and economic concern.
Ireland’s marine and terrestrial environment supports
a wide variety of species and habitats, many of which
are of international importance. While many species are
doing well in conservation terms, there are a significant
number of habitats and species that are not. Progress has
been made in the designation of EU-protected areas in
Ireland, but several areas of national importance remain
undesignated, and significant aspects of biodiversity in
Ireland are under considerable threat from unsustainable
activities.
Ireland has international and legal obligations to protect
biodiversity. These include a commitment to halt
biodiversity loss by 2020. Protection of biodiversity within
and outside protected areas is necessary and will require
greater integration of biodiversity concerns in sectoral
policy development and implementation, at local and
national levels. Ireland’s second National Biodiversity
Plan (2011–2016) includes a programme of measures
aimed at meeting Ireland’s biodiversity obligations.
Full implementation of the plan will help ensure the
sustainable management of biological resources and
protection of biodiversity for future generations.
Land and Soil
The rate and nature of land use changes indicate where
future environmental pressures are likely to arise. By
European standards, Ireland has experienced a relatively
high rate of land use change since the early 1990s.
Generally, Ireland’s soils are considered to be in good
condition, with the exception of peat areas, which are
particularly vulnerable to external pressures. However,
the information available on land and soil is currently
not sufficient. It is vital to improve our evidence base,
which is required in order to accurately assess and
protect these vital resources and to provide information
and guidance to policy and decision makers. The
sustainable management of both land use and soils
requires an integrated approach; a national landscape
strategy and a national soil protection strategy for Ireland
need to be prepared and fully implemented. While Ireland
has fewer contaminated land problems than most other
industrialised countries, an overall policy framework
for the identification, management and remediation
of contaminated land in Ireland is needed.