Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report

SEA Environmental Report for the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028

SFRA is required by ‘The Planning System and Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ (Department of Environment and Office of Public Works, 2009) and associated Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government Circular PL2/2014. Recommendations from the SFRA have been integrated into the Draft Plan. Various policies and objectives have been integrated into the Plan through the SEA, SFRA and AA processes. The preparation of the Plan, SEA, AA and SFRA has taken place concurrently and the findings of the AA and SFRA have informed both the Plan and the SEA. 8.6 Integration of Climate Action into the Plan The Plan will contribute towards climate action in combination with:  The Climate Action Plan that identifies 193 climate mitigation and/or adaptation actions, allocating the following three actions to local authorities: Action 64 Introduce minimum BER standards in the Local Authority social housing stock as part of retrofit works being carried out on older stock or refurbishment of vacant dwellings; Action 65 Develop and establish a climate-action toolkit and audit framework for Local Authority development planning to drive the adoption of stronger climate action policies in relation to the patterns and forms of future development.; and Action 66 Roadmap to develop supply chain to support the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in new dwellings. The Climate Action Plan also identifies local authorities as the lead stakeholder on a number of steps under certain actions – such as those relating to Carbon Pricing and Cross-cutting policies, Citizen Engagement, Community Leadership and Just Transition and Adaptation.  The National Planning Framework, which has identified National Strategic Outcome Objectives 8 “Build Climate Resilience” and 9 “Support the transition to low carbon and clean energy” under National Strategic Outcome 8 “Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society”.  The Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy that has identified various Regional Policy Objectives relating to climate action, including RPOs 87-107 under “Climate action and transition to a low carbon economy”. Climate Action is provided for throughout the Plan, and is focused upon at Chapter 5 “Climate Change and the Environment”. Climate Action Measures from the Plan encompass a wide range of issues and sectors including:  A Climate Resilient City  International and National Climate Change Legislation, Policy and Guidance  International Climate Change Research and Recognition  Coordinated Regional Action on Climate Change  Climate and Environmental Action Strategies  Climate Change Projects  Sustainable Energy Community  Cork City Decarbonising Zone  A Just Transition  Energy Conservation and Efficiency  Energy Efficiency Considerations  Energy Use Management  Waste Management – Construction and Operation of Development  Adaptable Design  Lifetime Adaptable Housing  Renewable and Low Carbon Energy  Heat Pumps  Roof-Top Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Panels  Sustainable Energy Generation – Standalone Projects  Cork City District Energy Action Plan  District Heating  Electric Vehicles  Rainwater Harvesting  Green and Blue Infrastructure

CAAS for Cork City Council