Climate, Sustainability and the Environment

In this section on Climate, Sustainability and the Environment, we cover initiatives in relation to Energy, Environmental law and regulation. The thematic emphasis is that most of these legislative and regulatory initiatives are clearly driven by policy concerns surrounding climate change and sustainability.

The Irish government published its Climate Action Plan in 2021. A priority goal is a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a stated ambition of reaching net-zero emissions by “no later than 2050”. This ambition is of course reflective of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by the year 2030. Hence the emphasis on legislative initiatives relating to regulation of fossil fuels and to supports for alternative fuel generation. Examples include the Revised Gas Regulation which will recast the original Regulation of 2009, the revised Alternative Fuels Directive revising and amending the original Directive in 2019. A second broadly described goal in the Climate Action Plan is to put Ireland on a ” more sustainable path” with the aim of creating a cleaner, greener economy and society.

At the same time Matheson will continue to keep you informed of the broader policy picture and related initiatives. To this end we continue to develop our Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Advisory Group which was established in 2021.

Key Themes

Preparing for 2030 – key changes to achieve climate commitments

At Irish and EU level, we see legislative initiatives focussed on waste recycling, regulation of waste industries together with specific legislation regarding protection of the Environment.

The Climate Action Plan describes these initiatives generally as an opportunity to create jobs and business in sectors operating to support alternative fuel generation, recycling, and home renovation and retrofitting. In this context we have included proposals for Irish legislation but given the importance of EU initiatives we have particularly highlighted proposals for EU legislation, whether these are proposed Regulations or Directives.

However, in many cases you will find that existing EU legislation is being revised and amended and revised with some intensity and details are provided in the legislative summaries in the Horizon Tracker. Similarly in relation to provisions designed to address climate change, developments are driven by the EU at quite a fast pace with many of these proposals arising under the EU’s policy agenda. The Irish government will, of course, have to respond to these initiatives appropriately through the transposition of Directives and implementation of Regulations.

Addressing the sources of energy is a key climate action point

Addressing sources of energy, whether it is fossil fuels like gas or the support of alternative and renewable energy resources, is a key action point in the space of climate action and preservation of the environment more generally.

Climate neutrality continues to inform proposed EU legislation in the energy sector. The recently enacted European Climate Law and the commitment to the “Fit for 55” legislative package mentioned in the introduction is a driving force. While separately, the European Commission is proposing a new regulatory framework to decarbonise gas markets and establish a competitive hydrogen market to compete with natural gas. While not yet in force, these important EU legislative proposals could have transformative effects on the energy and renewables sector in Ireland and should be closely monitored.

From a domestic perspective, there have been some significant developments in the onshore and offshore energy sectors, including the Marine Area Planning Act 2021. We have highlighted the key issues in our update on the Marine Area Planning Act.

Also included are specific legislative initiatives in relation to the environment which can range from the Circular Economy Bill to legislation focusing on preservation such as the Inland Fisheries Bill. Of increasing importance in the Environmental Law space is the issue of fair procedure and access to justice for activists, hence the initiative concerning the Aarhus Convention Bill.

The EU is driving the environmental protection agenda

The EU is a driving force in the climate action space, with many pieces of legislation and initiatives focussed on waste management, quality of water issues and finally reuse and recycling initiatives.

Explore the Horizon Tracker

Irish Marine Planning Update: Publication of Draft National Marine Planning Framework

Sep 6, 2020, 22:11 PM

On 12 November 2019, the Government published the draft National Marine Planning Framework ("NMPF") for public consultation.

Title : Irish Marine Planning Update: Publication of Draft National Marine Planning Framework

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Insight Date : Nov 18, 2019, 12:10 PM

On 12 November 2019, the Government published the draft National Marine Planning Framework ("NMPF") for public consultation.

The consultation closes at 12 noon on 28 February 2020. Click here to view the draft National Marine Planning Framework.

The NMPF is the marine spatial plan and is expected to be adopted in late 2020. It will cover Ireland’s maritime area, including internal waters (sea area), territorial seas, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The NMPF will be a key tool for decision-making on marine activities, including decisions on individual consent applications. The NMPF will not replace or remove existing regulatory regimes or legislative requirements governing the operation of various marine sectoral activities. It will instead provide an overarching framework for their continued operation.

The NMPF sets out planning objectives and policies relating to 16 different sectors / activities including offshore renewable energy and other energy sectors, aquaculture, fisheries, telecommunications, ports, harbours and shipping. For offshore renewables a preference will be given to offshore wind farms, including enabling projects and infrastructure, in areas identified as designated zones for offshore wind under the zoning process to be set out in the much-anticipated Marine Planning and Development Management Bill.

The Government also published the new Marine Planning Policy Statement (the "Policy Statement"). The Policy Statement outlines the Government’s vision for the future development of the marine planning system. It sets out the overarching policies and principles to be observed by marine planning bodies and other public bodies that engage with the marine planning system. Click here to view the draft Marine Planning Policy Statement.

If you would like any further information on the NMPF and / or the Policy Statement, please contact your usual Matheson contact.

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