Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action being taken to ensure that local authorities are required to take into account the potential impact on carbon emissions of development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22803/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Development plans provide the over-arching strategic framework for sustainable development within their areas, with a view to ensuring that all development is sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms. As such, the development plan must offer clear guidance on sustainable development policies and objectives, both national and local, which address the full range of sustainability issues involved, including climate change, waste management, transport, urban development, sustainable communities, use of natural resources and so on.

It is imperative that the objectives and strategies set out in development plans are compatible with the Government's commitment to reducing energy consumption and modifying the impacts of climate change. My Department has provided extensive guidance on development planning, in Development Plans — Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published in June 2007. These state that development plans should be consistent with the objectives of national initiatives that will address energy and climate change issues such as the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012 (NCCS), which builds on the commitment to sustainable development set out in Towards 2016 and the National Development Plan 2007-2013. They also emphasise that the objectives of the NCCS require implementation by all sectors of society, and that it is imperative that the objectives and strategies set out in development plans are compatible with the Government's commitment to reducing energy consumption and modifying the impacts of climate change. Moreover, the conclusions in the EPA State of the Environment Report, and other evidence in relation to environmental quality and trends, should inform the drafting of development plans and be reflected, as appropriate, in their objectives and implementation.

The Strategic Environmental Assessment carried out as part of the preparation and review of the development plan can help to bring environmental issues into sharper focus during the consultation phases, and should improve the overall sustainability of the plan-making process by facilitating the identification and appraisal of alternative plan strategies, by raising awareness of the environmental impacts of plans, and by encouraging the inclusion of measurable targets and indicators.

In addition to the statutory requirements in relation to the planning code for development plans, and in keeping with Ireland's obligations on greenhouse gas emissions and the need to reduce carbon fuel energy consumption, I published, on 21 September 2007, draft regulations under Part L of the Building Regulations. These draft Regulations provide for an average reduction of at least 40% in primary energy consumption and a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. Moreover, for the first time, the Regulations will introduce:

a minimum requirement for the use of renewable energy sources;

energy-efficient boilers;

energy-efficient artificial lighting systems; and

improved airtightness of the building fabric. The draft Regulations provide for a commencement date of 1 July, 2008.

The draft Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Document are now the subject of a public consultation process, which will continue to 26 October 2007. All submissions received will be comprehensively assessed and given due consideration prior to finalising new Building Regulations before the end of the year.