The concept of Sustainable Development is broadly defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising those of future generations. The EU Sustainable Development Strategy, adopted by the European Council in Gothenburg in June 2001, and renewed in June 2006, aims to reconcile economic development, social cohesion and protection of the environment. The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy, in tandem with the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, seeks a more prosperous, cleaner and fairer Europe. Monitoring progress towards this overarching goal is an essential part of the Strategy. (note 73)
The EU Treaty also presents Sustainable Development as an overarching concept by requiring the integration of sustainable development into all European policies, so that they contribute in an integrated way to meeting economic, environmental and social objectives.
The concept of environmental integration is now more fully accepted as a feature of legislation, Government policy and national development programmes; there is a greater appreciation of the importance of shared responsibility for the environment on the part of all sectors of society. Public access to information in relation to the environment has been extended, encouraging awareness. In line with this, Council Regulation (EC) 1083/2006 states that actions taken under the Funds shall incorporate, at national and Regional level, the Community’s priorities in favour of sustainable development by strengthening growth, competitiveness and employment, social inclusion, as well as protecting and improving the quality of the environment. The Funds’ objectives are to be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and with reference to the Community’s goal of protecting and improving the environment as set out in Article 6 of the Treaty. Sustainable development is a fundamental objective under the Treaties. It requires dealing with economic, social and environmental policies in a mutually reinforcing way in order to reverse trends that threaten future quality of life. Environmental issues are a key dimension of Cohesion Policy in the 2007 - 2013 period, while promoting sustainable growth is a cornerstone of the Lisbon and Gothenburg Agenda.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive was transposed in to law in Ireland in July 2004 (note 74) and its objective is to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of specified plans and Programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development. In accordance with the SEA Directive, this Operational Programme was subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment.
The commitment to the principle of Sustainable Development is apparent both in the design of operations and in the measurement of their impact on the environment. This is a central underpinning of the Regional Operational Programme.
The need for balance between environment and development embodied in the concept of sustainable development was consistently recognised in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006. Integration of environmental considerations into other policies was both then and today, seen as a key means of securing sustainable development especially in terms of the NDP 2007-13. In terms of the broader policy context, the concept of environmental sustainability will remain a “horizontal principle” under the NDP 2007-13. This clearly signals the importance of environmental sustainability at Regional Programme level and will enhance the integration of environmental considerations into making and implementing policies in general.
The Managing Authority is committed to tracking the impact on the sustainable development Horizontal Principle at implementation level to ensure compliance with the regulation. In addition, the project selection criteria will ensure that the projects will be assessed on the basis of their compliance and promotion of the goal of sustainable development.
Note 73 Ireland’s Environment 2004, EPA Third State of the Environment Report
Note 74 Statutory Instrument No. 435 of 2004 European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI435Y2004.html and Statutory Instrument No. 436 of 2004 Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI436Y2004.html
