Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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478. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the roles the three regional spatial economic strategies under the national planning framework will play in mitigating climate change; and the relationship that will be established with the regional climate change adaptation plans which are to be co-ordinated under different geographical regions of local authorities. [3267/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The national policy objective to transition by 2050 to a competitive, low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy requires engagement from all levels of Government as well as wider society.

The draft National Planning Framework, which is being prepared by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, sets out a number of National Policy Objectives (NPOs) to ensure that our 2050 objective is fully integrated as part of national planning policy.  These include policies to  reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by integrating climate action into the planning system in support of national targets;  the promotion of renewable energies at appropriate locations to meet the national transition objectives towards a low carbon economy by 2050; and support for integrating climate considerations into statutory plans and guidelines. This is further reflected within the National Strategic Outcomes contained with the draft National Planning Framework, including ‘Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society,’ which I expect to be fully reflected in the final National Planning Framework which is due to be published shortly.

I understand that under the National Planning Framework, each Regional Assembly will be tasked with preparing a Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). The principal purpose of each RSES is to support the implementation of the National Planning Framework by providing a long-term strategic planning and economic framework for the development of the regions. Each RSES will be required to be consistent with the National Policy Objectives of the National Planning Framework and assist in the delivery of its National Strategic Outcomes.

In addition, I understand that the preparation of each of the RSES will be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) which requires each plan to take full account of relevant EU and national legislative requirements, including in relation to climate change, in accordance with the SEA legislation.  

The National Adaptation Framework, which I launched on 19 January, sets out the context to ensure local authorities, regions and key sectors can assess the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, implement climate resilience actions and ensure climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all local, regional and national policy making. The role of spatial planning through the National Planning Framework will be critical in ensuring a successful outcome for implementing the National Adaptation Framework.

Alongside the National Adaptation Framework, I also announced a funding commitment from my Department of €10 million over 5 years to establish four Local Authority Regional Climate Action Offices. This commitment recognises the significant obligation which has been placed on the local government sector to develop and implement its own adaptation and mitigation measures as well as the need to build capacity within the sector to engage effectively with climate change.

The proposed Regional Climate Action Offices will be operated by a lead local authority in four different regions grouped according to shared climate change risks. The Offices are intended to provide a coherent and coordinated response to climate change at local level, both in terms of adaptation and mitigation and they will also be a key enabler in linking effectively with the new National Planning Framework.