CLIENT:
Cork City Council
PROJECT NAME: REPORT TITLE:
Cork City Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy
SEA Environmental Report
Environmental Component
SEO Code
Strategic Environmental Objective
CF2
Support reducing Cork City Council organisational Greenhouse Gas emissions by 51% in accordance with requirements of the Cork City Local Authority Climate Action Plan and the Public Sector Mandate defined in the national Climate Action Plan.
CF3
Support in the delivery of Cork City Decarbonisation Zone objectives.
Description and Evaluation of Strategy Alternatives The SEA Directive requires that reasonable alternative means of achieving the strategic goals of the Strategy (taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of a plan or programme) are identified, described and evaluated for their likely significant effects on the environment. Such reasonable alternatives must be realistic and capable of implementation. Reasonable alternatives were assessed against the Strategic Environmental Objectives (SEOs) established for the aspects of the baseline environment which are likely to be significantly affected by the Strategy. The underpinning goal of the reasonable alternative evaluation process was to ensure that the selection of preferred alternatives by the Local Authority is informed by environmental considerations. The following reasonable alternatives to the Strategy were identified: a) Is it preferable to progress the expansion of the EV Charging Network in Cork City through the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 or through a dedicated EV Charging Strategy? b) Reasonable Alternatives for the Spatial Distribution of the EV Charging Network in Cork City c) Reasonable Alternatives for the EV Charging Strategy Delivery Timeframe. An evaluation of the potential effects of the reasonable alternatives on the baseline environment was carried out in accordance with the SEA Directive and best practice guidelines. A summary of this evaluation is presented below: a) Is it preferable to progress the expansion of the EV Charging Network in Cork City through the Cork City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 or through a dedicated EV Charging Strategy? o It was determined that developing and adopting a dedicated, bespoke EV Charging Strategy was preferred over using the CDP to deliver the expansion of the EV charging network given that a dedicated Strategy would provide a greater degree of focus and specificity in relation to the development of EV charging infrastructure in Cork City. This would result in a more appropriately focussed, detailed and extensive Strategy and a more concentrated effort for delivery. This approach was predicted to be more likely to result in the development of a suitable EV charging network in Cork City, and, as a result, will better support the uptake in EVs, a reduction in the use of ICE-based vehicles and associated emissions, and a reduction in transport sector GHG emissions overall in Cork City. This approach is more likely to maximise potential positive environmental effects on material assets, climate, air quality and population and human health associated with the delivery of an expanded EV charging network in Cork City. b) Reasonable Alternatives for the Spatial Distribution of the EV Charging Network in Cork City.
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P23-206
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