EPA - Ireland's Environment 2016 - An Assessment

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215 Chapter 13: Environmental Challenges and Emerging Issues for Ireland
and sustainable business practices, however some
businesses, in particular SME’s, find it difficult to resource
engagement with the national support services. The
EPA’s resource efficiency activities and
) have demonstrated the economic
advantage of business participation. This has also been
determined through EPA funded research activities where
a 2% efficiency in material consumption would yield
nearly a billion euro saving for the national economy (EPA,
2013). In respect of the five main elements of resource
efficiency (energy efficiency, water efficiency, raw material
efficiency, waste prevention and clean technology) it is
the energy area that has been most successful, principally
driven by high energy costs, as well as access to finance
and technical support (e.g. SEAI and others).
Energy and Transport Sectors
Major transitions in the energy and transport sectors
are needed in the coming decades.
Ireland’s energy systems will need to undergo a major
transformation in the coming decades as part of actions to
improve air quality and address and limit climate change.
Fossil fuels, which make up about 90% of Ireland’s current
energy profile, need to be phased out and replaced by
renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and
tidal. Large-scale public and private investment in energy
infrastructures, including energy-efficient and innovative
energy management systems, energy distribution and
smart grid systems, is needed to enable this transition.
Progressive engagement with stakeholders and the public
including information provision will be required as part of
this transition. The government White Paper on Ireland’s
Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015 – 2030
sets out a blueprint for the energy sector that sets about
addressing these challenges.
There are very clear wins for the public in energy savings by
retrofitting older and less energy-efficient housing stock to
reach higher energy ratings (SEAI, 2016). Retrofits of the
housing stock, especially older houses, as well as commercial
and public buildings to reach a Building Energy Rating
(BER) grade A is a national climate change-related project
that could be prioritised through more targeted action
programmes. This project would also benefit householders in
terms of comfort and savings on heating bills.
In relation to transport, there needs to be support for a
modal shift from the private car to an efficient sustainable
transport system through a more proactive and systematic
approach to land use and transport planning. Wider policy
measures are needed to promote significant increases in
alternative fuels and electric vehicle usage. Ireland needs
to develop a mix of planning, infrastructural investment
and fiscal measures to bring about a reduction in transport
demand. Over the next 30 years Ireland will need to
incrementally electrify its national urban public transport
system. For larger urban areas, we need to work on many
different levels to have a much more integrated network,
with right of way given to transport modes that reduce air
pollution and GHG emissions.
Key Action 3:
Implementation
of Legislation
Improve the Tracking of Plans and Policy and
the Implementation and Enforcement of
Environmental Legislation
Implementing Environmental Legislation
Progress in closing out compliance with some key
directives is slow.
The implementation of environmental legislation was one
of the four key challenges highlighted in the State of the
Environment report 2012. It is a key driver to meeting our
national and international commitments and to ensuring
a thriving, clean environment. Legal responsibility rests
with industry, economic sectors and all of society to meet
environmental obligations and not cause pollution.
The EPA and the local authorities are the main bodies
responsible for implementing environmental legislation.
Other Government departments and authorities have
implementation roles in relation to legislation covering
specific environmental areas, such as biodiversity
and wildlife legislation (National Parks and Wildlife
Service), fisheries protection (Inland Fisheries Ireland,
Marine Institute, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority) and
environmental health (Health Service Executive).
Despite progress in several areas, including waste recycling
and emissions from industrial facilities, Ireland still faces
challenges in implementing a number of regulations
and directives. Ireland faces open EU complaints or
infringement proceedings in relation to the Drinking Water
Directive and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
This is an area where significant investment is needed to
upgrade treatment facilities and networks. The second
cycle of the River Basin District Plans are delayed and
sustained progress is needed to restore water bodies not
meeting “good” status. And as outlined in the chapter on
climate urgent work is needed to reduce GHG emissions.
The European Commission has also begun infringement
proceedings against Ireland for failing to complete
the designation requirements for its Special Areas of
Conservation.