Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

478 Chapter 17: Conclusions 4 eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=comnat%3ASWD_2022_0260_FIN (accessed 9 September 2024). The policy position on the environment could also act to engage society in addressing environmental concerns. The EU’s Joint Research Centre suggested that a just transition and a new social contract founded on sustainability are essential for Europe to seize sustainability transitions as processes that can inspire positive change and improve well-being. The national policy position could serve as the starting point for the development of an inclusive national contract across the economy and society so that we live sustainably in a healthy environment that is valued and protected by all. Driving policy implementation We must rigorously implement existing environmental plans and programmes to achieve the benefits that they were developed to deliver. Ireland has an extensive and expanding suite of legislation, policies, strategies and plans to safeguard the natural environment and protect human health. Environmental regulation of our industry has delivered significant reductions in pollution and places Ireland among the EU Member States with the lowest air emissions intensity of industry and has virtually eradicated serious water pollution. However, serious deficits remain in Ireland’s implementation of other environmental legislation and related plans and programmes such as the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/ EEC), Water Framework Directive and European Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119). Ireland is not making adequate progress towards meeting its own nationally set targets and objectives. Our assessments show that substantial gaps remain between what is planned and what is being delivered. Our overall water quality and nutrient levels in waters are not improving, recycling is not keeping pace with the growth in consumption and we are not achieving our climate targets. We are also currently not achieving our ammonia emissions reduction target under the National Emissions Reduction Commitments Directive ((EU) 2016/2284). Existing plans and programmes already in place, if fully implemented, would go a long way towards resolving these persistent environmental issues. The EU’s Environmental Implementation Review for Ireland in 2022 highlighted challenges for Ireland relating to compliance with EU waste water treatment legislation, access to justice in environmental matters, conservation measures on marine natura sites and conservation of bogs. 4 The review noted the need for effective, swift and full implementation of EU legislation and strategies on the environment and the climate and striving for excellence in environmental performance at European, national, regional and local levels, as well as the prioritisation of enforcement of environmental law. An essential part of implementation is the enforcement of environmental laws. While the EPA has a broad remit on environmental regulation and enforcement, local authorities also have a vital statutory responsibility in the protection of our local environment. They are responsible for enforcing much of Ireland’s environmental protection legislation in their areas. The scale of environmental