“Time for policy to become practice” – Irish Planning Institute calls for joined-up implementation of Climate Action Plan

• Planning professions play a key role in the delivery of Climate Action goals
• Under-resourcing in the planning system a critical issue that requires urgent attention

Kilkenny, 7^th April 2022: The Irish Planning Institute (IPI), the largest professional membership organisation for spatial planners in Ireland, has called for a rapid alignment and implementation of planning and climate legislation at all levels following the introduction of new climate legislation and the Climate Action Plan.

Speaking at the Institute’s Annual Planning Conference in Kilkenny today (7^th April), Dr Conor Norton, President of the IPI, highlighted that now is the time for policy to become practice in the planning profession, in recognition of the crucial role that planning will play in making climate action a reality.

In his opening address at the conference, which is focused on Planning for Climate Action and is sponsored by Kilkenny County Council, EirGrid and FuturEnergy Ireland, Dr Norton said: “As a society, we will not meet our obligations of moving towards carbon-neutrality if we do not ensure that new climate policy and legislation are fully and rapidly aligned and integrated with planning policy at national, regional, city and county, and local level.”

Dr Norton pointed to the ambitious climate goals set out by Government with regard to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. These will be challenging as Ireland faces the dual tasks of dealing with a legacy of unsustainable development while managing both the substantial growth in population and economy that is envisaged by the National Planning Framework, Dr Norton said.

Planning for climate action will require a much greater emphasis on collaborative plan-making in the planning system, which is not currently in place.  Furthermore, plans at all levels will need to be far more detailed and rigorous if they are to result in the delivery of better places for living, work and recreation.

“While climate action will pose an enormous challenge for planning in the coming years, it will also provide abundant opportunities to create better places and to deliver on critical green and energy infrastructure. Compact and beautiful communities, where walking and cycling are the best options, where local services are easily reached, where work is nearby or connected by public transport, and where the air is fresh and nature is in close proximity, are the hallmarks of low carbon places. Many of the changes needed for climate action are perfectly and naturally in step with good place-making and urban design.” Dr Norton continued.

Planning for climate action will, however, require a new commitment to reorganising and resourcing of the planning system, particularly in local authorities. Under-resourcing must be addressed urgently and new expertise and upskilling in planning for climate action is urgently required. A critical priority, which has not as yet been addressed, is the much-needed expert and coordinating role of the Regional Assemblies in planning for climate action.

Dr Norton also urged professional planners to prepare for changes in how they work and to assess the strategic and local planning options that will be available to them. Climate action will require new processes for planning, and it will inevitably change the decision-making calculus for plan-making and critical projects, said Dr Norton.  Planners can expect a much greater emphasis on targets and ongoing monitoring of plans and development – and will need to adapt their practices accordingly.

Peter Lynch, CEO of FuturEnergy Ireland said: “The latest IPCC climate report, published on April 4, clearly highlights how the window of opportunity to contain global warming is rapidly closing, with more targeted and urgent action required, including increased and faster adoption of renewable energy. Separately, the EU has recently announced its plan to dramatically accelerate the clean energy transition in response to energy security issues triggered by the Ukrainian conflict. The European Commission’s plan includes proposals to simplify and shorten the permitting process and to apply a favoured status to renewables infrastructure.  Our planning system is now centre stage, and the biggest enabler for ensuring that Ireland can support the delivery of more renewable energy projects that contribute additional clean, green electricity to the grid, to our businesses and to our homes.”

Michael Mahon, EirGrid Chief Infrastructure Officer, said: “We have a key role in moving to clean, renewable energy and helping the country meet its climate change goals. We look forward to working closely with planning professionals throughout the country over the coming years as we transform the national electricity grid and deliver a cleaner energy future.”

Dr Norton concluded that: “Planning can deliver on climate action, but it must be aligned at all levels of the hierarchy of climate policy and plans. Critical pieces in that hierarchy will need to be addressed, such as planning for regional climate action, and local communities must be empowered with finding local solutions for local climate action.”

(Ends)