Chapter 5
Climate and Environment
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Sub. No.
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
any commitment to work to reduce the level of meat consumption in the city.
enhancement of existing and the provision of new allotments, urban agriculture, community gardens and the incorporation of food growing opportunities into residential development schemes”. Veganism and meat consumption are not matters addressed under a development plan. Recommendation: No change. Objective 5.11 states that “new development prop osals are expected to maximise energy efficiency through location, siting, orientation, layout, design, stormwater drainage and landscaping. This includes seeking to optimise energy efficiency through thermal insulation, passive ventilation and cooling and passive solar design”. This supports Passive House design. Strategic Objective 4 states, “Proposals for new development in Cork City will strive to reduce carbon footprints by carbon emission reductions, sustainable energy consumption, sustainable transport, use of renewable energy sources, green construction methods including passive solar design, and flood risk mitigation and adaptation and use of nature-based solutions, through design, layout, implementation and operation. A statement commensurate with the nature and scale of the development proposal will be required to accompany planning applications demonstrating how climate resilience has been considered and implemented at all stages in the development process”. This encourages carbon reduction measures together with policy supports for regeneration, active travel and compact growth. This matter is further governed under the Building Regulations. Recommendation: No change.
Although renewable energies are being supported, homes and buildings need to be designed to limit the requirement for renewable energy and improve comforts levels. The Passive House building standard would promote such performance. Objective 5.11 promotes that development maximise energy efficiency, but the Building Regulations do not necessarily support these objectives, which is why the Passive House building standard should be adopted as a minimum standard. Embodied and operational carbon assessments should be a mandatory requirement for new developments, to both inform design and ensure that the change objectives are being met.
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