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Chapter 13: Environmental Challenges and Emerging Issues for Ireland
of nuisance are the environmental issues that generate
the most complaints to the EPA and local authorities and
can have negative impacts not only on health, but also on
enjoyment of amenities, as well as on environmental quality.
After poor air quality, noise nuisance is the second largest
environmental source of human health morbidity and
mortality in the EU (EU, 2014). National planning for
infrastructure (such as transport) and urban spaces must
factor in appropriate protections for the population against
noise impacts. Building design should likewise ensure
appropriate acoustic shielding for occupants.
Local authorities receive over 60,000 environmental
complaints each year from the public. The majority of these
relate to litter and waste-related issues. The EPA also receives
a significant number of complaints about odours emanating
from industrial activities, in particular waste management,
food and drink facilities. The primary responsibility rests
with industrial operators to effectively control their activities.
The EPA and the Local Authorities have a range of effective
enforcement tools to call upon in the event of a failure by an
operator to properly manage an activity.
The extent of the annoyance and amenity impairment
caused by litter is clearly demonstrated by the number of
complaints made to local authorities, around 40,000 a
year between 2012 and 2014. While local communities
and local authorities are actively involved in clean-up
projects across the country, it is clear that enforcement and
resources are still required to tackle ongoing litter and fly-
tipping problems. This resourcing should also incorporate
educational and behavioural change interventions so as to
assist in normalising sustainable attitudes and practices.
Key Action 2:
Climate Change
Accelerate Mitigation Actions to Reduce
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Implement
Adaptation Measures to Increase Our
Resilience in Dealing with Adverse
Climate Impacts
Climate Change Action
Urgent action is needed around climate change,
including the mitigation and adaptation work
necessary to protect ourselves from its inevitable
consequences.
As an island country, we need to adopt a much greater
sense of urgency about:
n
reducing our dependence on fossil fuels for energy,
heating, and transport
n
radically improving energy efficiency and
n
preparing for the inevitable consequences of climate
change such as flooding.
Climate change is now with us, and the sooner we act,
the less damage will be done to our society, economy
and environment. Planning for climate change adaptation
actions is now also essential for Ireland’s social and
economic resilience.
Local Authority Adaptation Strategy
Development Guidelines
Climate change mitigation (i.e. efforts to prevent
the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere from
reaching a dangerous tipping point) is a priority.
Urgent action is required to enact the UN Paris
2015 Agreement in order to reduce the risk of
climate-driven changes overwhelming the capacity
of most societies and ecosystems to adapt to its
impacts. However, when it comes to climate change
adaptation, the urgency to respond is somewhat
different. While mitigation demands immediate
action, adaptation requires immediate planning.
Guidelines published by the EPA during 2016 make it
easier for local authorities and others to plan for the
inevitable consequences of climate change (EPA, 2016c).
Actions to address climate change, through mitigation and
adaptation measures can also provide economic and social
opportunity through, for instance, green jobs, habitat and
wetlands preservation (ecosystem services), promoting
resilient communities, and sustainable competitiveness.