Planning Policy and Decarbonisation

This is a working paper commissioned by the Climate Change Advisory Council of Ireland. Given the limited time remaining to meet the carbon budgets and the 2030 goals, an efficient and effective planning system that supports the low carbon transition is crucial. This paper thus examines issues faced by energy infrastructure in respect of planning processes, as well as issues relating to spatial development planning processes. This paper notes that resourcing of the planning system at local authority level, an Bord Pleanála, National Parks and Wildlife Services, and in the High Court is a constraint on efficient and effective operation of the system. This report also emphasises that the Renewable Electricity Spatial Policy Framework will be crucial to support scaled up deployment of renewable energy across the country. This Framework needs to be published on time and to match the ambition of national goals. Lastly, this paper also highlights the importance of resolving the tension between sustainable housing provision and affordable housing provision. Resolving or eliminating this tension is key to achieving Ireland's housing and climate goals at a reasonable cost.