Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

74 Chapter 3: Environmental Noise Heat pumps Electrical heat pumps use a compressor to draw heat from a low-temperature source, such as external air or the ground, to heat the building interior. Most modern air source heat pumps should not make more than a low whirring sound when working properly. The outdoor unit should be sited as far away from windows and neighbouring property as possible. As their use and uptake increases, there may need to be further information on noise mitigation and guidance. 8. Conclusions Environmental noise can have an adverse impact on health and quality of life Local authorities and other organisations implementing noise legislation, in collaboration with those authorities responsible for transport infrastructure, need to focus more on resolving noise issues, including the increasing numbers of complaints, particularly in more urban areas with high exposure from road traffic noise and around Dublin Airport. In relation to urban renewal and development projects, the Healthy Ireland initiative highlights the potential to maximise the health and environmental co-benefits of such projects by involving health and local authorities in their design and implementation. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme, the Healthy Ireland Fund and the Healthy Cities and Counties initiative are all ways in which local communities, local authorities, the health system and national policy can be linked to improve facilities and supports for health and wellbeing at the local level. There is a need for better implementation of local authority noise action plans Most local authorities struggle to implement their noise action plans and reduce overall exposure to excessively noisy environments. Protection of areas where environmental noise quality is good should be prioritised through the designation of quiet areas in the action plans. The noise action plan progress reports show that many of the local authorities have not been prioritising their noise action plan-related actions. There has also been an issue in which some local authorities have been unsuccessful 15 www.gov.ie/en/publication/927e0-clean-air-strategy/ (accessed 30 April 2024). in securing funding for possible remedial measures for roads from relevant funding agencies such as TII. Thus, clarity on roles, responsibilities and funding is a critical issue that will need to be addressed going forward. Meeting the targets set in the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan – a major challenge Specific measures are needed to allow Ireland to contribute to the overall 30% reduction target across the EU to reduce the negative impacts of exposure to transport noise by 2030, as set out in the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan (EC, 2021). A range of options should be considered in relation to better noise management, including better urban and transport planning and significant reductions in road traffic noise. Other measures could include better acoustic design for developments, reducing speed limits on Irish roads, redesigning roadways using low-noise road surfaces, a balanced approach around airport operations, and creating low-noise-emission zones and quiet areas. National Planning Framework supporting the proactive management of noise Statutory planning guidance would be useful to set out how our approach and actions to avoid, mitigate or reduce environmental noise should be implemented on the ground at a local level. This guidance could also consider the proactive implementation of the 2018 WHO noise and health guidelines, similar to the way that the WHO air quality guidelines are being integrated into the Clean Air Strategy for Ireland. 15 Furthermore, the implementation of the noise policy objective in the National Planning Framework 2040 (DHLGH, 2019a) would be a welcome step in improving planning and noise management. Urban sound planning refers to the task of managing and improving the acoustic environment within the scope of urban planning projects (EPA Network, 2021). Local authorities, urban planners and landscape architects could take into account acoustic components in their design choices. When considering the acoustic design of developments and construction, urban and transport planning needs to consider potential noise impacts to prevent new high-exposure situations developing. To help reduce overall noise exposure all organisations with responsibilities for roads, including TII and the