The development of environmental policy in Ireland and the region is heavily influenced by EU policy (Note 30) and law. The framework for Irish environmental law and policy is provided by over 140 EU environmental directives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government primary responsibility for environmental research, planning and guidance, licensing, monitoring and reporting on environmental status and enforcement of environmental law. There have been several developments in environmental law and policy in Ireland over the past 10 years:
In 1996 the Waste Management Act was passed;
Convention on Biological Diversity signed by Ireland in 1996;
In 1997, the Government published “Sustainable Development: A Strategy for Ireland”, addressing all areas of Government policy, and economic and societal activity which impacts on the environment;
Habitat Regulations (1997);
Comhar, the National Sustainable Development Partnership, was established in 1999;
National Climate Change Strategy (2000);
Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000;
The National Biodiversity Plan (2002);
The National Heritage Plan (2002); and
The Protection of the Environment Act (2003).
The environment of the BMW region is generally of a high quality. This is due to a number of factors. The population density is relatively low and there is a low level of transport and congestion outside the main urban centres. Due to the lack of industrialisation and traditional heavy industry, the level of industrial pollution is also very low. There is high air quality and clean water generally and the western seaboard in particular is renowned for the clean Atlantic oceans and unspoilt beaches. There are currently 29 Blue Flag (Note 31) beaches in the BMW region, located in counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo and Sligo.
However, the pressures on the environment are increasing and the key challenge is to maintain the high standards that have been achieved through the correct policy responses. A more detailed description of the current state of the region’s environment is contained in the Environmental Report prepared in conjunction with the ex ante evaluation of this OP. In the following sections we briefly review the following areas:
Air Quality
Water Quality
Built Environment
Archaeological Heritage
Land Use Planning
Natural Heritage and Biodiversity
Waste Management
Air quality in Ireland and in particular in the BMW region is of a high standard. This reflects the low level of industrialisation and the region’s spatial structure. However, greenhouse gas emissions are an issue that needs to be addressed both regionally and nationally by all actors. Greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland on a per capita basis are above the EU (15) average based on the latest available data. They also show that Ireland’s emissions continue to rise and the main factor contributing to this is growth in transport volumes. This reflects the rapid increase in economic activity and car usage.
Under the Kyoto Protocol (Note 32), Ireland is committed to limit emissions to 13% above the 1990 level in the period 2008-12. This highlights the challenges facing Ireland to comply with Ireland’s Kyoto commitments. This is a particular challenge given the rapid pace of economic growth. Meeting this challenge will require a combination of domestic action and international measures such as participation in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Through a number of interventions, mainly in the form of niche and pilot actions this Operational Programme contributes to meeting this challenge. This builds on the success achieved in the areas of energy efficiency under the 2000-2006 NDP/CSF Programmes.
The main present threat to the quality of inland waters in the BMW Region is excessive enrichment (eutrophication) by nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen. Among the sources of these are agricultural activities and the discharge of domestic and industrial waste and one-off rural housing. Intensive fertiliser use has contributed in the past to eutrophication of surface waters and affected the quality of groundwater. Municipal discharges were previously a major source of pollution. This is now less of a problem due to the significant investment in modern sewage treatment plants, co-financed by EU structural funds under previous Community Strategic Frameworks.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is a need for improved protection of surface waters and ground waters. This is particularly the case in the context of targets included in the Water Framework Directive for all waters by 2015.
The quality of waters in rivers is reasonable according to the available statistics. The EPA’s ‘Water Quality in Ireland 2005 (Note 33) report shows that less than 1% of the BMW region’s river basin districts were seriously polluted. The quality for lakes is better than for rivers, with 85% estimated to be in satisfactory condition. It is believed that the position in the BMW region is better than the average reflecting the different spatial structure of the region. Overall, water quality is of a good standard although there is a need to sustain this high quality and achieve improvements where possible. This is reflected in the assessments of drinking water from both public and group schemes. Data on the compliance of drinking water supplies in 2004 from the EPA show an average compliance level of 95.6% across the 13 counties of the region compared with a national figure of 96.4%. A high percentage of public supplies are of sufficient quality while there is a lower percentage for group schemes, although this is improving. The risk reduction and innovative effluent drainage interventions proposed in this Operational Programme will contribute to sustaining improved water quality in the region.
The built environment of the BMW region is of varied quality, but the situation has, for the most part, improved in recent years as a result of investments. Nevertheless, as a result of continuing economic growth, the built heritage remains under pressure as older buildings do not offer the same economic opportunities and facilities as modern, purpose-built ones. Against this background, it is important that the intrinsic value of the architectural heritage be recognised and continues to be protected in an appropriate manner in both urban and rural areas.
There are 55,000 protected archaeological sites and monuments in the region, or 45% of the nation’s total. Although those sites of national significance are well protected, they do face pressure due to increasing numbers of visitors, both Irish and from overseas. Sites of lesser significance remain under threat, mainly from two domestic sources - the intensification of agricultural production and the infrastructural and other needs of an expanding economy and population.
Land use is subject to ongoing change with demand for development purposes continuing to increase. Ireland’s land use is predominantly agricultural and the landscape has been altered by nature and by human practices over the centuries. According to 2000 findings, land cover is made up of agricultural areas (66%), wetlands (17.1%), forest and semi-natural areas (11.9%), water (2.3%), artificial surfaces (1.9%). Between 1990 and 2000, there was an increase in artificial surface cover across Ireland from 1.5% to 1.9% of total land cover, due mainly to urban growth and infrastructural improvements. Despite these pressures the BMW region’s land area is predominantly rural, although future population trends indicate that the BMW region’s population is likely to increase over the period of this OP (Note 34).
The BMW region’s diversity and flora and fauna resources are of national significance. Twenty five species and 60 habitats are recognised by the EU as being in need of special protection. Threats to these include agricultural practices, afforestation, and peat extraction, eutrophication of waters, climate change, alien species, land clearance, and development.
In the BMW region, there are 298 Special Areas of Conservation (72% of the national total) and 93 Special Protection Areas (77.5% of the national total). Ireland has formally transmitted these sites to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas under the EU Habitats & Birds Directives. Policy measures to protect natural heritage and biodiversity include the National Biodiversity Plan, the Wildlife Act and the National Heritage Plan.
One of the most significant environmental issues facing the region is the effective management of the increasing levels of waste being generated through growing output and population and affluence. Between 2001 and 2004 the total estimated waste generated in Ireland as a whole rose by 15%. A significant percentage of this increase is due to an increase in the quantity of construction and demolition waste.
Although landfill is regarded in environmental terms as the least desirable option, the BMW region is heavily reliant on this practice. The challenge is to continue to implement the proposals detailed in the Regional and Local Waste Management Plans. The objectives of these measures are to ensure the maximum diversion from landfill to re-use, recovery and recycling processes consistent with national objectives and targets. Litter remains a problem for the region affecting rural, urban and coastal areas and impacts negatively on general quality of life. Further progress in terms of awareness and recycling is required.
Overall, notwithstanding the challenges identified, the BMW Region’s favourable environment record will continue to play an important role in ensuring the region’s competitiveness, quality of life and prosperity over the next 20 years. By appropriate investment and policies the BMW region can ensure that its strong environment is sustained. Existing legislation needs to be effectively implemented to maintain natural habitats, support national parks and wildlife reserves, protect waterways and enhance heritage sites and field monuments. There is also a need to implement river catchment management, source protection and water quality upgrade schemes and implement the Regional Waste Management Strategies with an emphasis on sustainable waste management programmes. There is also an ongoing challenge to enhance the viability of the BMW Region’s gateways, hubs, towns and villages through improving the quality of their design and maintenance.
Note 30 Environment protection Agency (2005) Ireland's Environment 2004 http://www.epa.ie/newscentre/reportspublications/irelandsenvironment2004/
Note 31 The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to over 3,200 beaches and marinas in 36 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean in 2006
Note 32 The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment to the international treaty on climate change, assigning mandatory targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to signatory nations.
Note 33 Environmental Protectiona Agency (2005) Water Quality in Ireland http://www.epa.ie/NewsCentre/Reports/Publications/IrelandsEnvironment2004/
Note 34 CSO Regional Population Projections 2006-2031 http://www.cso.ie/releasespublications/reg_pop_projections.htm
