COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

That this Council adopt the 'doughnut' economy as a policy to be applied, whenever possible in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, given that the Doughnut Economy is based on the premise that "Humanity's 21st century challenge is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet. In other words, to ensure that no one falls short on life's essentials (from food and housing to healthcare and political voice), while ensuring that collectively we do not overshoot our pressure on Earth's life-supporting systems, on which we fundamentally depend - such as a stable climate, fertile soils, and a protective ozone layer.

REPORT:

The ‘doughnut economics’ model is one set out by Kate Raworth in her book which identifies seven major flaws in traditional economic thinking. It provides a visual framework for sustainable development that seeks to find the balance between the capacity of the planet to sustain human actions and needs without an ecological collapse. The doughnut represent the planetary ceiling and minimum standards for all human beings. The ‘safe and just space is where it is identified our species needs to be if it wants to make poverty history without destroying the planet. The social foundation of the doughnut aligns with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 2015, Ireland has been a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is significant alignment between the UN SDGs and the National Planning Framework’s National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) in areas such as climate action, clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, economic growth, reduced inequalities and innovation and infrastructure, as well as education and health.

The Council is actively pursuing measures to address climate change and, on foot of national legislation, was one of the first Council’s to publish a Climate Action Plan. This plan sets out and tracks all climate actions being undertaken by the Council by theme. The policies and provisions of the Draft Development Plan which will go on public display in July of this year, will further support the Climate Action Plan and national and EU policy. The Plan will include clear measures on climate action, compact growth and green infrastructure, amongst other measures, aligning with the National Strategic Outcomes indicated above and the relevant UN Sustainable Goals.