Chapter 6 Economy & Enterprise, and Retail
This chapter contains an objective to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all in line with SDG 8. In order to achieve this goal, the plan asserts a need to transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral economy that delivers for all parts of society through medium and high value employment creation, future skills development, research and development, and the reduction of poverty and inequality (pp.145-148). It is stated that this will be achieved through a focus on the key growth sectors and support for new and emerging innovative sectors including maritime and blue economy, renewable energy, fourth level education and training, research and development, creativity and innovation, digital, ICT and life sciences (pp. 147 & 159). An assessment of this goal of inclusive sustainable growth, can be measured by SDG GFI 8.2.1: annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person. In addition to this indicator SDG GFI 8.4 which promotes the progressive improvement, through 2030, of global resource efficiency in consumption and production and economic growth without environmental degradation is also relevant. The indicators here are material footprint per capita and per GDP (SDG GFI 8.4.1) and domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP (SDG GFI 8.4.2).
It is the intention is to support the review and preparation of a new Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) for the city to ensure the local level framework is in place to support sustainable economic growth and community improvements (p.151). This is also of importance to SDG 8.5, the achievement of full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value by 2030. The indicators for this are SDG GFI 8.5.1: average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities, and SDG GFI 8.5.2: unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
SDG GFI 8.9 also supports the promotion and development of policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. This goal is integrated into the planned objective of promoting the continuing diversification of tourism in the city in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland in particular through the development of Greenways, and Blueway’s. It is also intended to work in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and key stakeholders to support the hospitality sector and promote tourism related facilities including a sustainable range of tourism accommodation (p.162). The attainment of this objective can be demonstrated by SDG GFI 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate.
The regional connectivity supported by the plan is relevant to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) as investment in low carbon public transport, active travel modes and the connecting of road networks will support the advancement of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) to maximise its assets, attract investment and create jobs (p.146). This is in line with SDG GFI 9.1 the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. This can be assessed by SDG GFI 9.1.2: Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport.
This plan also supports a Smart City approach through the application of new innovations and digital technologies to support economic growth, citizen engagement, enhance the quality and performance of urban services and to reduce costs and consumptions of resources (p. 157), while encouraging enterprise and business to transition to a circular economy where waste and resource use is minimised (p.158). This is relevant to SDG GFI 9.4 the upgrade of infrastructure and retrofit of industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency, along with the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. This can be assessed by SDG GF1 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added.
It is noted and welcomed that in line with SDG GFI 11.a.1 (sustainable cities and communities) where national urban policies or regional development plans (a) respond to population dynamics; (b) ensure balanced territorial development; and (c) increase local fiscal space this Chapter sets out the intent to support the ambitions for strong sustainable economic growth as set out in the Regional Policy Objectives of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) (p.151).
• 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.