Chapter 2 Climate Action
Of relevance to SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy for all, this chapter describes diversification of energy sources and efforts to ensure buildings become more energy efficient through standards for new builds or retrofitting for existing stock (p.50). The relevant indicator that can be used to measure progress towards this goal is the proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology (SDG GFI 7.1.2). The actions described in this chapter are highly relevant to the goal of a substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030 (SDG GFI 7.2). For this reason, ongoing measurement of progress in this goal is vital to ensure that timely reporting contributes to wider scale efforts to address this global challenge. It is noted, and welcomed, that as part of the Energy Master Plan a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline and Energy Use baseline will be developed by GCC (p.50), as these documents have the potential to be useful in measuring key indicators of the attainment of SDG 7.
Chapter 2 supports SDG 11, the development of Sustainable and Inclusive Communities and Cities. This includes attention to modes of transport that would support a reduction in emissions (p.56). This in line with SDG GFI 11.2, that by 2030, there should be access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons (SDG GFI 11.2). This can be measured by the proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities (SDG GFI 11.2.1).
Chapter 2 also contains objectives relevant to SDG 13, Climate Action. In order to assess if countries have strengthened their resilience and adaptive capacity to mitigate climate related hazards and natural disasters (SDG GFI 13.1) the indicator proposed is the proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with national disaster risk reduction strategies (SDG GFI 13.1.3). A strength of the GCDP is that it sets out its intention to support the implementation of a range of International and National policies and strategies that will drive progress towards climate change adaption and mitigation, and furthermore, states the objective of developing a five-year local Climate Action which will be subject to ongoing review to ensure alignment with National Objectives (p.51). In particular, the integration of national objectives regarding the reduction of emissions, including tangible goals of 51% reduction by 2030, and net zero carbon by 2050 is a welcome tangible goal relevant to SDG GFI 13.2.2, that entails an assessment of total greenhouse gas emissions per year, which can be supported by the Energy Master Plan.
Another component of climate action relevant to SDG 13 is to improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity in relation to climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction (SDG GFI 13.3). This can be measured by the extent to which education for sustainable development is mainstreamed (SDG GFI 13.3.1). There is a stated objective to achieve this goal in Chapter 2 through the designation of Westside as a Decarbonisation Zone which will be used as a demonstrator of urban sustainability for citizen education in order to build awareness and induce behaviour change (pp. 49 & 50). However, attention needs to be given as to what outcomes will demonstrate attainment of this indicator, and how this will be measured.
• Monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding how effective the Development Plan objectives are in contributing to Ireland's commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Council will establish a methodology, based on a selection of appropriate indicators from the SDG Global Framework indicators. Therefore, each chapter should include actions and name the specific targets and indicators from the Global Indicator Framework which they relate to.
• These appropriate indicators will be included in Appendix 1 (p.327) and integrated into the methodology outlined in the Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment Report (p.60) and plan arising from a Public Sector Duty Assessment.
• GCC will undertake its required Public Sector Duty Assessment, across all aspects of the Councils responsibilities, within year 1 of the new plan. The plans and actions developed to address issues raised in the equality and human rights assessment will include the appropriate SDG indicators.
• The Chief Executive's two-year report will include a review of the progress achieved in relation to the SDGs and any recommendations necessary to ensure that Ireland's commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030 will be realised.
• GCCN, as the Public Participation Network for Galway City should be named as a key stakeholder as provided for in the Local Government Reform Act 2014.
• The actions of this plan should integrate ‘Target 16.7: ‘Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels’ within Appendix 1: Implementation and Monitoring to centre meaningful engagement of communities and young people in the implementation and monitoring of the plan.
The attainment of the SDGs is of crucial importance towards mitigating crises in the future, and securing the human rights of citizens, so cannot be separated from Public Sector Duty.