EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 15: Environmental Performance, Policy and Implementation Environmental Performance, Policy and Implementation 1. Introduction The 2016 state of the environment report identified the need to improve the tracking of plans and policies and the implementation of environmental legislation as one of the seven key environmental challenges for Ireland (EPA, 2016). The European Commission recognises that the poor implementation of environmental law and policies has many negative effects, including environmental, economic and social costs, an unequal playing field for economic operators, and the loss of credibility of both national authorities and the European Union (EU). It estimates that the full implementation of EU environmental legislation could save the EU economy around €55 billion every year in health costs and direct costs to the environment (EC, 2019a). Improve the tracking of plans and policies and the implementation and enforcement of environmental legislation to protect the environment. This chapter provides a summary assessment of the current state of implementation of environmental legislation, policy, plans and programmes in Ireland and examines the outlook for Ireland in terms of achieving full compliance with commitments and targets within five core policy areas: climate, air, nature, water and waste. Some aspects relating to sustainable development, key global trends and emerging issues are also covered. The chapter concludes with some suggested mechanisms for improving the implementation and integration of environmental policy, plans and programmes in Ireland. Ireland’s Environmental Legislation and Policy Landscape The majority of Ireland’s environmental laws stem from European directives. Ireland has a range of laws and policies designed to protect air and water, safeguard nature, address climate change and promote the circular economy and sustainable development. Some of the key laws and policies are shown in Figure 15.1. Most of Ireland’s environmental laws stem from European directives and regulations (which themselves may stem from United Nations (UN)/ international obligations, such as the Paris Agreement). They commit Ireland to binding targets and objectives, which are implemented via a range of national plans and programmes, such as the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP), the National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) and the Climate Action Plan. Ireland’s Sectoral Policies, Plans and Programmes Successfully integrating environmental considerations into sectoral plans and programmes is challenging. A proactive approach is needed to integrate environmental considerations into all sectoral policymaking. There is increasing recognition that achieving the desired environmental objectives set for air, water, climate, etc., requires the necessary pollution prevention and control measures and actions to be fully incorporated across sectoral decision-making and policymaking at all levels, including, for example, agriculture, fisheries, built environment, tourism, forestry, energy and transport. Some of the key sectoral plans and programmes currently in place in Ireland are listed in Figure 15.2. The need for greater and more consistent integration of environmental considerations into sectoral policymaking is well recognised (e.g. OECD, 2019; UN, 2019). This issue is discussed further towards the end of this chapter, under ‘Improving implementation and integration’. Aerial view of Galway city 387