COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 14, 2008
MOTION NO. 3
MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
That South Dublin County Council resolves to set up a Climate Change Committee, possibly as a Sub-Committee of the Environment Strategic Policy, and requests the Manager to investigate draft terms of reference for such a Committee, including mechanisms for dialogue and co-operation with similar Committes where they have been established by the other Greater Dublin Area Local Authorities, and to bring forward a report to the January 2008 CouncilMeeting.
REPORT:
REPORT:
The following proposal was put to the Environment SPC on 7th November 2007:-
"This Strategic Policy Committee calls on South Dublin County Council to link with the other local authorities in Dublin, to draw up and implement a 5 year strategy, reviewed every 12 months, to ensure that our forward thinking and dynamic County impacts positively on Climate Change. This first 5 year strategy will run until the Kyoto deadline of 31st December 2012.
The Climate Change Strategy will develop actions in areas including:
Waste Management: Diversion of organic waste from landfill disposal to composting. Promotion of reduction, reusing and recycling of all waste as an alternative to landfill & incineration.
Transport: Promote transport alternatives to cars.Take measures to switchSouth Dublin County Councilvehicles to renewable energy sources. Engage with public transport providers, including Dublin Bus, to advance policies in keeping with this proposal.
Planning: Develop planning guidelines for development of lands at risk of flooding under current climate change forecasts. Ensure that all developments are socially & environmentally sustainable. Develop integrated actions on spatial planning to reduce commuting and other sources of carbon emissions.
Energy generation: Actions be taken to increase the use of renewable energy sources in heating existing buildings and new developments. Fitting renewable energy sources be standard in renovation programmes for Dublin City Council properties.
Biodiversity: Develop policies to protect sensitive habitats from negative impacts of climate change.
Policy Proofing: Ensure all policy developed by South Dublin County Councilare environmentally and ecologically proofed to meet the highest international standards
An interdepartmental group involving Management, Councillors and civic groups is to be established by Decemberto oversee this proposal, including a period of public consultation and its implementation."
Following discussion it was agreed to recommend the proposal to the Council. It was further agreed that, as Dublin City had already commenced work on a strategy for the city that the Council would seek to have a similar approach so that any opportunities for joint working on the action plan could be explored. The following Members agreed to participate in the sub-group - Mr. Brian Buckley, Ms. C Kiernan, Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor J. Lahart. The Council has made contact with CODEMA to discuss the strategy and are awaiting a meeting date from them.
A draft strategy will go to the SPC when the sub-group have completed their work and once the SPC have agreed it will come back before the Council.