COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 13, 2013
HEADED ITEM NO. 8
HEADED ITEM: P. Department
APPROVAL OF THE SOUTH DUBLIN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACTION PLAN
REPLY:
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)
The Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) puts forward an energy roadmap, setting out how South Dublin County can take the lead in addressing EU and national energy targets to 2020. The SEAP has been undertaken in partnership with the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and eight other local authorities across the EU, as part of the Leadership for Energy Action and Planning (LEAP) project, funded by the EU intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) programme. Input has also been received from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CODEMA).
The SEAP sets out baseline data for 2006, specific energy targets to 2020, and a range of actions to reach these targets under the three key principles of Record, Reduce and Replace. The role of stakeholders and citizen involvement is examined and the issues of monitoring and funding are also addressed in the SEAP.
Public Consultation
Minister Pat Rabbitte TD and Mayor Cathal King launched the Draft South Dublin SEAP on public display on Thursday 21st February. The public consultation process lasted for a six week period from Thursday 21st February to Thursday 4th April.
Submissions were sought from members of the public, SDCC staff and elected members, community groups, residents groups, academic bodies, relevant statutory bodies, and other interested parties during the Draft SEAP public consultation period.
Five submissions were received during the public consultation period and have been summarised in the accompanying Manager’s Report. Strategic energy issues raised in the submissions received are addressed in national and county based policy; the South Dublin SEAP was prepared having regard to such policy. Specific energy issues raised in the submissions received can be addressed in the roll-out of individual SEAP actions, with particular regard to domestic energy use, renewable energy alternatives and behavioural change campaigns. As such, no amendments to the South Dublin SEAP have been made following the outcome of the public consultation process.
SEAP Actions have been structured under the principles of Record, Reduce and Replace and showcase and build on SDCC experience and expertise to date in: implementing energy efficiency / refurbishment projects, renewable energy pilot projects, community engagement programmes and building sustainable communities. Through the implementation of SEAP Actions across all sectors, the Council is committed to addressing the energy challenge from local to County level, in order to reach 2020 energy targets. The Council has set up an Energy Team that will be involved in the roll-out of SEAP Actions across sectors and also to monitor the progress of the South Dublin SEAP.
Covenant of Mayors
South Dublin County Council signed up to the Covenant of Mayors on Monday 11th June 2012. The Covenant of Mayors is an initiative of the European Commission that brings together Mayors from across Europe, in a shared, voluntary commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by a minimum target of 20% by 2020. By signing up to the Covenant of Mayors, the Council is also committing to submitting a SEAP (which has been approved by the Members of SDCC) for verification by the Covenant of Mayors office.
Following the submission of the South Dublin SEAP to the Covenant of Mayors Office, the Council is also committed to monitoring the progress of the SEAP on a regular basis and reporting to the Covenant of Mayors every two years on the progress of SEAP Action implementation, energy consumption savings and CO2 reductions achieved in pursuit of reaching 2020 energy targets.
It is now before this Council to approve the South Dublin Sustainable Energy Action Plan and submit it to the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) office for verification.