Reply - Q12 Climate Change Strategy

COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2008

QUESTION NO.12

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for a progress report on the development of a Climate Change Strategy for the County, if the group/sub-committee of the Environment SPC referred to in Headed Item No.5 of the Council meeting of 6 February has been convened and had meetings, if the workshops referred to in the Environmental Services Headed Item of the Environment SPC of 7 May have taken place, and if he will consider seeking an input from the Planning and Economic Development SPC to the development of the strategy in view of the upcoming review of the County Development Plan, and if he will confirm that in the development of the Climate Change Strategy the issue of the Council's policy on measures for adaptation to deal with climate change is being addressed?

REPLY:

A report on a proposed Climate Change Strategy for South Dublin County was presented to the Environment SPC at its meeting held on the 7th May last.The report stated 'inter alia' that CODEMA, an Energy Agency established 10 years ago under the aegis of Dublin City Council has built up considerable expertise and has provided advice and assistance to the City Council on programmes and initiatives undertaken by them.

In 2007 they worked with the Environment SPC of the City Council on the development of a Climate Change Strategy for the City. Given the proximity to the city of South Dublin County, the similarities in population profile, the nature of both our businesses and the scales involved it is likely that there will be strong similarities in the approach to any measures taken in developing a Climate Change Strategy.

A CODEMA representative has met with the Council and the following proposal on how the Strategy for South Dublin County could be developed is as follows;

Workshop for SPC Members.This was held on the 23rd May last.
Draft Consultation Strategy to be presented to SPC in September. Once agreed it will go on public display with one public meeting in each Area Committee Area.
Summary of all points raised through consultation and a new Draft Strategy (depending on submissions) to be presented back to SPC in November.
Once SPC has agreed the Strategy it will be presented to the next full meeting of the Council.

Work has commenced on the preparation of the Draft Strategy. Input has been requested from a number of relevant Departments of the Council. It is proposed to hold a meeting of the Working Group as soon as the draft has been developed to a sufficient level.

The Draft Strategy will be presented to a number of SPCs including the Planning and Economic Development SPC, following the next meeting of the Environment SPC on the 3rd September 2008.

The Strategy will address the issue of transport, energy demands etc.

It is likely the South Dublin County Climate Change Strategy will be ready to launch in February/March. It is proposed this launch will be in Workshop format to begin the development of an Action Plan that will see the Strategy being implemented.