Basic HTML Version
3
Chapter 1
Introduction &
Socio-economic Context
Ireland’s Environment 2012
provides an evidence-based assessment
of the current state of the environment in Ireland and the pressures
being placed on it. It outlines the trends and changes in environmental
quality as well as the socio-economic activities that are linked with
these changes. Environmental policy and legislation in Ireland
continues to be driven by European and global developments. Since
the previous state of the environment assessment in 2008 there have
been significant new policy and legislative advances in areas such as
air and waste, and in the broader context of sustainable development.
Future EU policy, in particular the seventh Environmental Action
Programme, will continue to drive the agenda on environmental
protection and management in Ireland in the coming years.
The recent period of economic recession has lowered pressure on
the environment in areas such as waste generation and greenhouse
gas emissions. However, the challenge for Ireland is that economic
renewal be achieved in a more sustainable way than previously,
and that Ireland transitions to a low-carbon, resource-efficient
and climate-resilient economy.
Ireland’s Environment 2012
is an
important tool for policy and decision makers to assist in identifying
and shaping future policy to support this transition.