Environmental Services Training Group LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2016 Future Challenges and Opportunities for the Environment Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, May 2016. 1

Future Challenges and Opportunities for the Environment Challenges for the Local Government Sector Ciarán Hayes Chief Executive Sligo County Council

Local Government Sector Climate Change Obligations EU Directives Recruitment Embargo Local Government Sector Climate Change Obligations White Paper: Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015 – 2030 (DECNR) 33% Energy Efficiency Target by 2020 Appointment of Energy Officer LA support for Energy Projects Low Carbon Transition & Mitigation Plan Climate Change Adaptation Framework Sectoral Adaptation Plan Green Tenders Integrated Planning Approach Communication & Research Plan Smarter Travel Sustainable Communities Encourage Behavioural Change Public Service Training CFRAM Restricted Resources Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 (DECLG) Severe Weather Our Sustainable Future 2012 (DECLG) Flooding Storm Response COP21

COP21 Objective: Moving from actions by a few to actions by all Local Government sector will be key to achieving the objective However: Sector must position itself to take a leadership position

Exercising Leadership In exercising Leadership, the sector must: Operate to a different model Include Climate Change as a Corporate Objective Be ‘owned’ by the Senior Management Team Be championed by a member of the Snr. Management Team Form part of each Directorate Work Programme Having demonstrated our ability to respond to severe weather, we must now demonstrate our ability to lead! Climate Change actions impact across the entire organisation to include Housing, Planning, Finance, Roads and Environment

Issues Embedding Climate Change into Corporate Plan and organisational work programme National and Local co-ordination Adaptation, Mitigation & Remediation Policy deficits Renewable Energy Scarce resources Best practice Where to site renewable energy projects? Best Practice: CLIMOTE remote home heating management in Louth Co. Co. 66.6% reduction in fuel consumption in Galway City

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Climate Change – Coastline Issues

Severe Winter 2010

Storm Imogen - 2015

Flooding

Athlone - 2015 Flooding in 2009 – over 200 houses flooded Flooding in 2015 to higher levels – only 1 house flooded

Climate Change Issues - Sallins

Summary & Conclusion We are presently witnessing the effects of Climate Change Doing nothing is not an option Opportunity for the sector to assume a leadership role Potential efficiencies

Summary and Conclusion Climate Change presents both Opportunities and Threats “Fail to prepare – prepare to fail” Thank You