Final Report

GALWAY CITY EUROPEAN GREEN LEAF 2017

Foreword 3

1 Introduction 5

2 Citizen Engagement, Participation & Public Awareness 7

3 Flagship Events & Activities 11 4 Climate Change & Energy Performance 25

5 Mobility 29

6 Biodiversity & Land Use 37

7 Quality of Air & the Acoustic Environment 43

8 Waste Management & the Green Economy 45

9 Water & Wastewater Management 53

10 Budget, Monitoring & Indicators 57

11 Commission Indicators 60

12 Learnings and Outcomes 62

13 Conclusion 64

15 Complementary Strategies and Designations 65

Contents

All information correct as of June 2019. For updates on projects included in this report, please see the Galway City Council website www.galwaycity.ie

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Galway City was awarded the designation of European Green Leaf from the European Commission at an awards ceremony in 2016. The award was the culmination of decades of activity in Galway City — by schools, community groups and organisations, volunteers, City Councillors and staff — to enhance and protect the environment which makes Galway City an attractive place to live, work, and play.

Galway is a harbour city, on the west coast of Ireland, where the river Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. The city has 12km of coastal area, with a number of urban beaches including two with Blue Flag status. Galway Bay Complex cSAC and Inner Galway Bay SPA (Ramsar Site) are Natura 2000 sites, with a rich display of wildlife throughout the year. The municipal district of Galway City is 53.4 km, with a population of over 79,500 (2016). The National Planning Framework proposes that the population will increase by an additional 45,000 people by 2040.

With an increasing population, Galway City Council will experience an increase in demand for services including transport, housing, waste management, water, recreation and amenity. In turn, population growth and urbanisation will put considerable pressure on natural habitats in our city.

It is our role as the Local Authority charged with the management of the Galway City administrative area to work with the stakeholders who have protected our environment to date, to ensure we continue to experience a high quality place for our children and future generations to live in. In the context of increased consumption and climate change, these will be challenging demands. However, the European Green Leaf award is an indication of how Galway City intends to address these challenges — face on, and in partnership with the stakeholders who have safe–guarded the city to date.

Foreword

Mr. Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive

Cllr. Neil McNelis, Mayor of Galway City, 2018—2019

Cllr. Pearce Flannery, Mayor of Galway City, 2017—2018

Cllr. Noel Larkin, Mayor of Galway City, 2016—2017

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Mayor of Galway City, Noel Larkin, receives the European Green Leaf plaque from Ms. Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General, DG Environment, European Commission (2016).

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Introduction

Galway is the first Irish city to be awarded the European Green Leaf designation, and the third city ever to receive the designation.

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In 2016, Galway City was awarded the designation of European Green Leaf 2017, by the European Commission. The European Green Leaf Award is open to all towns and cities across Europe with a population of 20,000 up to 100,000 inhabitants. The designation is awarded to cities that demonstrate well–established records of high environmental standards and a commitment to setting ambitious goals for future environmental progress, underpinned by the practical application of sustainable development.

The City of Galway is a vibrant, diverse, cultural, university city. It is a city of learning, a city of youth, a city of rich cultural heritage and of stunning natural environment and quality of life. Located just two hours from the Capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin, Galway City’s population today continues to grow with an influx of new residents — Galway City has the title of fastest growing city in Europe, and is the most international city in Ireland, with 1 in 4 residents born outside the Irish State. Galway’s Irish name, Gaillimh, is said by some to originate from the Irish word, gaill, meaning “outsiders” or “foreigners” and the term resonates throughout the city’s history.

The European Green Leaf designation was awarded to Galway City on the basis of a bid covering the themes of: 1. Climate Change & Energy Performance2. Mobility3. Biodiversity & Land Use4. Quality of Air & the Acoustic Environment 5. Waste Management & Green Economy6. Water & Wastewater Management

Galway City is fortunate to have many beautiful natural areas and it is vital that these areas are protected, enhanced and conserved.

The European Green Leaf Award was a significant achievement for Galway City, and complementary to the city’s subsequent designations of European Region of Gastronomy (2018) and European Capital of Culture (2020), both of which place a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Galway City values these recognitions, and the positive spotlight they put on our city. They inspire Galway to achieve more in the area of environmental management and recognition for the City. For example,

• Galway recently entered the Top 20 Destinations on the Global Destination Sustainability Index at the ICCA congress in Dubai, out of a total of 46 entries (2018). Galway is the only region in Ireland to place in the Top 201.

• In November 2018, Galway was named ‘Best City in Ireland’ at the Bank of Ireland — Enterprise Town Awards in Kilkenny, as a result of creative collaboration between the local business groups; Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Galway Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Níall McNelis.

• Galway City was included in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine ‘Best Trips 2019’ listing, under the Culture Heading. Galway is the only Irish city to be included in this list, and one of only 7 European destinations included in the list of 28 worldwide.

The aim of the Municipality of Galway City is to create a city that people aspire to live in, to work in and to visit. The awards and recognitions listed above are an important acknowledgement in that regard, and are complementary to our prestigious Green Leaf designation.

This report details Galway’s year as European Green Leaf city in 2017, and beyond the designation year in 2018, when Galway became Chair of the European Green Leaf Network, and really began to build on projects and initiatives commenced in 2017 as part of the designation. The report is thematic in nature, giving a flavour of activity underway in 2017 and 2018.

1 Introduction

1 As of November 2018

The original Galway City application, and Judges Technical feedback, can be accessed at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/europeangreenleaf/egl–winning–cities/galway/

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Citizen Engagement, Participation & Public Awareness

Communication, citizen engagement, participation and public awareness were crucial forms of engagement throughout the Galway City European Green Leaf designation year and beyond.

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• ALIVE student volunteering office, National University of Ireland Galway

• An Mheitheal Rothar

• An Taisce Green–Schools

• An Taisce Think Before you Flush/Clean Coasts

• Bardzo Ladnie Foundation

• Birdwatch Ireland

• Business representative groups/local businesses

• Community and cultural groups including Third Space Galway and Transition Galway

• Community University Sustainability Project NUI Galway

• Elected representatives

• EPA Green Business/Clean Technology Centre

• Stakeholder Meetings

• Public consultation

• Surveys

• Seminars and presentations

• School workshops and projects

• Interaction on social media

• Features in the local press and on radio

• Participation in events, including the flagship ‘Loving Galway’ Festival 2018

• European Region of Gastronomy

• Fáilte Ireland

• Galway Atlantaquaria

• Galway City Community Network

• Galway City Partnership

• Galway Convention Bureau

• Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

• Galway2020

• Mayors of Galway City in 2016, 2017 and 2018

• SAOL Café/SCCUL Enterprises

• Sustainable Travel Working Group NUI Galway

• The Marine Institute

• Youth Work Ireland, Galway.

For more in–depth detail on resulting initiatives, please see the thematic Chapters of this report.

2 Citizen Engagement, Participation & Public Awareness

2.1 Engagement

A broad range of stakeholders were engaged in the designation – directly implementing initiatives; consulting on the Green Leaf programme; or supporting and partnering for activities. Some of the stakeholders involved in the European Green Leaf programme in Galway City include:

Engagement with stakeholders took many forms, both in person and virtual. They included:

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• Meeting/interacting with local community and environmental groups and members of the public.

• Collaborating with the Galway European Region of Gastronomy team to deliver co–branded events.

• Collaborating and consulting with Galway 2020, European Capital of Culture.

• Attendance at GreenFest Torres Vedras 24–26 March 2017.

• Exchanges with Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Council, and Derry and Strabane District Council regarding potential European Green Leaf applications.

• Facilitating a student tour by Lycée Georges Cabanis, Brive–La–Gaillarde, France, in support of their proposed application for the Green Flag award (March 2018)2

• Hosting a visiting Health promotion team from Healthy Cities, Riga, Lativia (May 2018).

• Attendance at the On the Move Policy Lab on Culture and Climate Change, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 3rd & 4th July 2018.

• Participation in European Green Week, Brussels May 2018.

2.2 Ambassador Role

2.3 Marketing Collateral

As an ambassador for European Green Leaf, Galway City Council proudly engaged with stakeholders interested in the designation, both internationally and locally. This included:

A suite of marketing and communications resources were developed as part of the designation, including event–specific toolkits, and general branding. An illustration of Galway City by artist Linda Fahrlin of Atlantic Art Studios was commissioned for use as part of the designation and featured on multiple branding tools, including banner stands, social media, and European Green Leaf reusable coffee cups and shopping bags. Local branding was used in conjunction with European Green Leaf branding throughout.

Senator Alice Mary Higgins speaks at the Sustainability Stories Event, National University of Ireland, Galway, November 2017

2 see https://quik.gopro.com/v/MdGL97Jl7G/ 9

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Flagship Events & Activities

This section outlines flagship events and activities which took place as part of the European Green Leaf programme in Galway City in 2017, and as a legacy of the designation in 2018. Section 4 outlines events and activities on a thematic basis, this section covers multi–themed initiatives.

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Galway City formally launched the designation year with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the European Green Leaf award in City Hall. The unveiling was presided over by His Worship Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Noel Larkin and Ms. Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General, DG Environment, European Commission, in March 2017.

At the same time, City Hall was branded with prominent European Green Leaf insignia, and messaging on the Sustainable Development Goals (pictured below). Permanent road signs on the entrance roads into the city highlighted the designation to road users coming into the city.

3.1 Plaque Unveiling, City Hall

Pictured Mr. Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive; His Worship Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Noel Larkin, and Ms. Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General, DG Environment, European Commission.

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• Lieze Fanning, Galway City Council Water Dept: ‘Slow the Flow’ — Water in Galway

• Mark Kelly, Lecturer, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology: Dublin Road — Green Campus story

• Tiarnan McCusker, Travel Officer, Green–Schools Ireland: Green–Schools in Galway

• Tim Folan, EH&S Department, Ingersoll Rand — Thermo King: Zero Waste achievements, harvesting rain water & reducing energy use in Thermo King Galway

• Philippa Maguire, Maguire’s Mugs: Tackling plastic waste

• Eileen O’Connell, Interactions Research: Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Funded research on attitudes to energy and the environment — Galway’s responses

• Barry Dillon, Venture Out: Working with young people through outdoor education

• Lynda Huxley, Swift Conservation Ireland/ Heritage Council/GMIT: Saving Galway’s Swifts

This event took place in the prestigious O’Donoghue Theatre, NUI Galway on the morning of the 15th of November 2017. The showcase of inspiring speakers and networking was followed by a guided tour of NUI Galway’s new Biodiversity Trail, which was part–funded by Galway City Council as part of the European Green Leaf designation. The event was fully booked, and was very positively received.

3.2 Sharing Galway’s Sustainability Stories, 15th November 2017

In November 2017, Galway City Council collaborated with the National University of Ireland, Galway, as part of a very significant launch for the University – their first sustainability strategy, building on in–depth consultation within the university community, and following a ‘Live, Learn, Lead’ model. The strategy was launched by Senator Alice Mary Higgins, as part of ‘Sharing Galway’s Sustainability Stories’, which was a showcase of inspirational speakers involved in sustainability across the City of Galway. They included:

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3.3 Legacy Workshop, 26th January 2018

As a key part of stakeholder engagement in the European Green Leaf designation, Galway City Council and Galway City Community Network held a joint ‘Legacy Project Workshop’ in January 2018. Galway City Community Network is the network of social inclusion, environmental and voluntary groups active in Galway City. As the Public Participation Network for Galway City, the role of GCCN is to support civil society and community representation of groups in the decision–making structures of Galway City.

The purpose of the Legacy Project Workshop was to explore the development of a strategic approach to environmental sustainability in Galway City with a particular focus on identifying potential Green Leaf legacy projects to support in 2018. A budget of €10,000 was earmarked for implementation of the successful projects in 2018. Representatives from City Council, the GCCN Environmental Linkage group, Galway2020, and environmental groups across the city attended.

The event was very well received, with 11 projects pitched by participants. Participants voted on those they felt would have the most impact, and were realistic and deliverable within the proposed budget and timeframe. This led to 6 projects being developed further for consideration for funding.

Funding was awarded to:

1. City Nursery project

2. National Urban Park proposal/Green Blue Trails

3. Mapping – community/green mapping proposals

4. Green Festival for Galway

5. Hydro energy project on the canals/energy efficiency project

6. Youth Zero Waste Seminar

Projects were progressed throughout 2018, with some progressing further than others in the year. One of the highlights of the Legacy projects, the Loving Galway Festival (see below), took place in September 2018. Mapping workshops, the Youth Work Ireland Galway Zero Waste summit, and an Energy Coop meeting took place as part of the festival. Further development is required to progress the City Nursery, in order to identify an appropriate location and resources to staff/ develop a project of this nature.

Participants pitch their projects, and vote on the proposals

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3.4 National Seminar – ‘Green Your Gathering’

Galway is a cultural, creative city – with festivals and events throughout the year celebrating film, the arts, sports, and business. Festivals and events are ‘temporary towns’, where the average visitor can generate up to 2.3kgs of waste per day – more than the average citizen3. With the development of the Wild Atlantic Way branding and route, and the awarding of the 2018 European Region of Gastronomy and Galway2020 Capital of Culture designations, Galway will experience increasing numbers of visitors in the coming years.

At a local and national level, for cities and towns to flourish with greater visitor numbers, those hosting and organising events, meetings and festivals will need to have a greater role in reducing the environmental impact of these activities. The Green Your Gathering seminar was designed to give practical insights and support to organisers and hosts, to increase their capacity to incorporate sustainability into their policies and practices.

The Green Your Gathering national seminar (19th April 2018) was organised by Galway City Council, as part of the European Green Leaf designation, in partnership with Galway 2020, European Region

of Gastronomy, and Fáilte Ireland. The seminar was a mix of plenary talks and networking, with speakers including: Ben Twist – Creative Carbon Scotland; Karen Foley, Clare Co. Co; Dr Frances Fahy, NUI Galway; Rob Rankin, Vagabond Tours; and Chris Johnson, Kambe Events/Powerful Thinking/ Shamballa Festival UK.

The National Seminar was followed with a strategic planning meeting of Galway City Council, Galway County Council, European Region of Gastronomy and Galway2020 on Friday 20th April 2018. The focus of the meeting was supporting sustainable events in Galway, with Chris Johnson, of Kambe Events, speaking with participants and sharing ideas.

This meeting led to the discussion for a proposal for a pilot project involving one city business association, and a county town, to take on focused environmental management activities in support of European Region of Gastronomy and Galway2020. This proposal was submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency Local Authority Prevention Network for funding, and was successful. This project will progress through 2018/2019.

3 https://www.amsterdam–dance–event.nl/program/2017/designing–out–waste–how–to–become–a–circular–festival–presented–by–dgtl/5153639/

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3.5 Loving Galway Festival 2018 – Celebrating our Green & Blue Spaces

The first ‘Loving Galway’ sustainability festival ran from the 20–30th of September 2018, in celebration of the ‘Green and Blue’ spaces breathing life into Galway City. The festival is a unique collaboration between Galway City Council, Galway City Community Network, NUI Galway, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, LAWCO, Galway Environmental Network, Youth Work Ireland Galway, Green–Schools, Galway Waterways, and community and environmental groups across the city.

Over 60 events took place over 10 days, with a flavour of highlights of the festival including:

• ‘greening’ Culture Night with community events across the city;

• ‘Ideas for a Beautiful Planet’ – a high level seminar on the 23rd of September featuring Prof. John Sweeney (Maynooth University), Duncan Stewart (environmental and sustainability Producer and Presenter), Janice Fuller (Consultant Ecologist) and Hans Visser (Biodiversity Officer, Fingal County Council);

• Partnering with the Galway International Oyster Festival to programme a day of workshops, talks and displays, at the family funday on Sunday 30th September.

• Youth Work Ireland Galway ‘Zero Waste’ Youth Seminar on the 26th of September.

• Galway Environmental Network workshop on participatory planning.

• Guided walks of the coast, the canals, and the ‘boreens’

• An exhibition celebrating 18 years of Art projects in Terryland Forest Park;

• Yoga in Merlin Woods, and storytelling in Quincentennial Park

• Galway Green SOUP crowdfunding night for environmental projects

• Photography competition and exhibition in Ballybane Resource Centre

• ‘Kidicle Mass’ family cycle and funday celebrating cycling the city

• Caddis fly trapping, bat walks and other interactions with nature and the natural environment, and a

• Galway Bright Club comedy event

The festival was very positively received, and it is anticipated that it will continue in future years.

The Loving Galway Festival builds on decades of activity by the City’s environmental community and is a legacy of Galway’s European Green Leaf designation in 2017.

Launch of the festival by the Mayor of Galway City Cllr Níall McNelis.

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Speakers at Ideas for a Beautiful Planet.

Activities and speakers at the Galway International Oyster Festival.

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3.6 European Green Leaf Network

The European Green Leaf Network (EGLN) is a network of past and present Green Leaf winners and those shortlisted for the award. The European Green Leaf Network provides its members with the opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues from other city administrations who have a similar high level of ambition and commitment to the environment.

Meetings are themed, with Waste Management and the Green Economy proposed as the topic for the Galway meeting on 21/22 February 2018, with funding secured from the TAIEX–EIR PEER 2 PEER funding stream of the European Commission. Cities represented at this meeting included Cornellá de Llobregat (Spain), Leeuven (Belgium), Mollet del Vallés (Spain), Torres Vedras (Portugal), and Växjö (Sweden).

Feedback from the EGL Network Meeting on 21/22 February was collated by the European Commission in March 2018. Feedback was positive, with 100% of respondents agreeing that:

• the programme was well structured

• the key issues related to the topics were addressed.

91% agreed that the workshop enabled them to improve their knowledge.

In 2018, Galway became the Chair of the European Green Leaf Network.

Pictured are delegates at the workshop in City Hall, and doing a site tour of the composting facilities at Barna Recycling.

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Other interactions with the European Green Leaf Network include:

• Mollet de Valles European Green Leaf Network meeting, November 2016

• Torres Vedras European Green Leaf Network meeting, March 2017

• European Green Leaf Network meeting in Torres Vedras, Portugal, as part of the CIVITAS forum September 2017.

• European Green Leaf Network meeting in Brussels in May 2018

• Information sharing with network cities in initiatives in the Galway EGL programme

• Exchanges by email/telephone

L to RWorkshop materials from Green Week 2018; Galway City Green Leaf officials Ms. Fiona Coen and Ms. Sharon Carroll, with other representatives from European Green Leaf cities.

Reusable cups, made by the EGL Network representatives on their visit to Galway in February 2018.

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The Mayors Awards are a yearly initiative by Galway City Council to acknowledge voluntary work carried out by people within Galway City. The awards acknowledge outstanding people and organisations that, through their commitment to participating in unpaid community and voluntary activities, have made a significant impact on the quality of their communities in Galway City.

Each year nominations are sought under various categories e.g. Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cursai Gaeilge; Residents and Local Areas; Social & Community Service. In 2018, a new category was

included in the Mayor’s Awards. This was the Environmental Sustainability Award. The winners of the inaugural awards in May 2018 were Friends of Merlin Woods. Merlin Woods is a large urban woodland located on the eastern edge of Galway City. This beautiful urban woodland greatly enhances the Galway cityscape and is a haven for wildlife. Merlin Woods is currently the largest area of woodland around Galway City and therefore is of high conservation importance. Friends of Merlin Woods is a voluntary community group promoting the positive use of Merlin Woods and its connected meadow lands.

3.7 Galway City Mayors Awards 2017

Students from Coláiste Einde planting their mini-orchard.

Children from Knocknacarra N.S. standing in their mini-orchard.

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All schools in Galway city are registered for the Green–Schools environmental management programme (39 no. schools). In 2017 and 2018, 23 schools received their Green Flags at the annual Green–Schools Awards Ceremony. 14 Schools were awarded in 2017 and an additional 7 Green Flags were awarded to Galway City schools in 2018.

Other highlights include:

• St Pat’s Boys National School (N.S.) received a national Repak award for their school garden.

• St Pat’s Boys N.S. and Galway Educate Together N.S. participated in a ‘Seedbomb’ promotion, encouraging children to plant wildflower meadows instead of throwing litter.

• St Mary’s College, Galway, reintroduced a Horticulture programme in 2018 for transition year students, as part of the Earth Sciences curriculum.

• Scoil Ide Ardnamara represented Galway City at the launch of the national Coast Watch report 2018, with a focus on plastic–free initiatives, following on their participation in Plastic Free Week 2018.

• St Nicholas Primary School launched the 2018 Plastic Free Week in Eyre Square, with the Mayor of Galway City.

• Galway Community College ran Junk Kouture workshops, teaching students skills to repair and reimagine their clothing, as well as thinking about the impacts of ‘fast fashion.

• Six schools participated in a mini–orchard scheme, planting apple trees and supporting pollination in the city.

3.8 Schools

Air Bee and Bee, St Pat’s Boys National School.

Galway City Schools continue to be an inspiration with regard to environmental protection and management.

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3.9 Grants

These included:

• Bardzo Ladnie Foundation – Forest Days festival in May 2017, with Galway2020 and Friends of Merlin Woods, in support of Biodiversity Week

• Galway Mayo Institute of Technology Green Campus and Sustainable Energy Communities Day 2017

• Branching Out Teenage Forest School Programme

• Green Horizons series of interactive community workshops exploring environmental topics in Westside Resource Centre

• ReCupán Galway Campaign – campaign to promote reusable beverage cups to reduce waste in cafes

• Youth Work Ireland, Galway – Youth Summit on Climate Change 2017 and 2018

• Go Wild in Galway – a celebration of Galway’s natural heritage, showcasing the wonders of wildlife in Galway, 2017 & 2018

• Support of Community Gardens in Galway City (through funding of polytunnels, planting etc.)

• Biodiversity educational events by Friends of Merlin Woods

• Convergence Sustainable Living Festival 2017

• Green–Schools Ireland Climate Action Week events 2017

• Youth Work Ireland fashion upcycling programme for secondary school students, raising awareness of the true cost of fast fashion and empowering young people with the skills to upcycle and repair clothes

• Workshops with Sew Last Season, Galway’s Social Sewing Space, in the newly established Galway Artisan Workshop, as part of Reuse Month 2018.

• ‘One Small Change’ project by Galway Atlantiquarium and artist Oonagh Herbert – focusing on plastic use and disposal and the marine (pictured above).

Galway City Council made grants available throughout 2017 and 2018, to support local groups and organisations to engage in environmental projects as part of European Green Leaf.

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3.10 Environmental Inspections

Monitoring takes place in order to identify and prioritise enforcement activities, so that Galway City Council can effectively and efficiently comply with its obligations under all environmental legislation. This includes inspections to be carried out under the Waste Management Act, 1996 as amended, the European Communities Act 1972 as amended, Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990, the Air Pollution Act 1987, Derelict Sites Act 1990, Litter Pollution Act 1997 as amended, and the Planning & Development Act 2000 as amended. These inspections are in addition to inspections required in response to complaints received and incidents of environmental pollution that may arise.

Enforcement Priorities for 2017Investigations, inspections and monitoring undertaken in 2017 focused on solving long–term and recurring non–compliance issues including investigation, assessment, and close out of complaints received by the City Council in previous years. The priorities for 2017, having regard to National priorities as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government (DOECLG), Regional priorities and Local priorities were as follows:

Waste

• Household Waste Management Compliance (including brown bin and waste bags)

• Tyres (Producers Responsibility Initiative) (When new regulations come into effect)

• Illegal Dumping (Including Construction and Demolition Waste) / CCTV Monitoring of Bring Banks

• Pilot Targeted Packaging Enforcement Project Q2 & Q3 (Circular WP08/16)

Water

• Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems Inspections (in accordance with the National Inspection Plan)

• Water quality improvement in the Terryland River

• Galway City Council’s Oil/ Hazardous & Noxious Substance Spill Contingency Plan

Air

• ‘Smoky Coal Enforcement’ – continued enforcement and awareness activities in relation to the burning, and sale of bituminous/non–smokeless coal. Increased enforcement of the issuing of fixed penalty notices. Continue the general awareness campaign of informing the public of the legislation and the risks to health associated with burning bituminous coal, to reduce the demand for banned fuels

• Solvents/deco paints/petroleum vapours – improved regulation of sector in functional area

Galway City Council participates in a programme of annual environmental monitoring, as part of the RMCEI requirements of the European Union.

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3.10.1 Performance Framework for Local Authorities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed a Performance Framework to measure the performance of local authorities in delivering their environmental enforcement activities. Local authorities provide data annually and the EPA report on the Framework since 2014.

The purpose of the Framework is to assist local authorities in implementing programmes of continual improvement in the areas of environmental enforcement and inspection. By providing local and national comparative data, a local authority can benchmark their own enforcement processes and plan for making performance improvements. The EPA has published two previous reports, in 2015 and 2016, on Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance. These reports summarise and grade the performance of local authorities’ enforcement activities compared to a baseline performance level. Most recently, the EPA published the 2017 report that looks at trends over the three–year cycle (2014 to 2016).

Further details regarding the Framework and copies of the annual reports and individual local authority Assessment Reports are available on the EPA website at http://www.epa.ie/enforcement/pa/performanceframework/

This indicates very good performance, with a number of areas of strength. This is also above the national average assessment of ‘Above Target’.

Galway City Council’s results in 2015 was ‘Target’ and in 2014 was ‘Excellent’

The 2017 Performance Framework Report awarded Galway City Council an overall grade for 2016 of ‘Excellent’. The national average in 2016 was ‘Above Average’.

Enforcement Area Summary Assessments:

2016 Overall Grade for Galway City Council:

Enforcement Systems Waste Water PRI & Food

Waste Air

2016 Above Target Outstanding N/A Target Target

2015 Excellent Excellent N/A Below Target Unacceptable

2014 Excellent Target N/A Above Target Target

HighestAchievable

GradeOutstanding Outstanding Outstanding Above Target Exceptional

‘Excellent’

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE GRADE ACHIEVED IS ABOVE AVERAGE

2016

Exceptional

Outstanding

Excellent

Above Target

Target

Below Target

Minimum

Unsatisfactory

Unacceptable

National Average2016

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE GRADE ACHIEVED WAS TARGET

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE GRADE ACHIEVED WAS TARGET

2015

2014

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Climate Change & Energy Performance

A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is being developed for Galway City, and is due to go to public consultation in summer 2019.

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4.1 Climate Change Strategy

A Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is being developed for Galway City. The Strategy is envisaged to include plans for mitigation and adaption as follows:

Galway City Climate Change Local Adaption Plan, and Galway City Climate Change Local Mitigation Plan, comprising of

• Baseline Energy and Greenhouse Gas Balance for Galway City

• Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for Galway City

• Renewable Energy Strategy for Galway City.

Progress is being made on scoping what should be included in a Climate Change Strategy for Galway City. There has been a literature review of other existing local authorities’ plans, the EPA’s Local Authority Adaptation Strategy Development Guideline, National Plans and Frameworks for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption, National Policy as per the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and European best practice, i.e. Covenant of Mayors.

In 2018, Officials from Galway City Council participated in a number of workshops on Climate Change Adaption organised by Climate Ireland and the Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. The CARO in Castlebar was setup in 2018, with a role of co–ordinating climate action of local authorities in the Atlantic Seaboard North Region; Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Mayo County Council, Sligo County Council and Donegal County Council. Internal Workshops in Galway City Council will also take place to review the impacts of previous extreme weather events and assess potential future impacts of climate change on the delivery of all services provided by the council.

In December 2018, Galway City Council held its first internal workshop to draw together internal stakeholders to contribute to the preparation of the draft Climate Change Local Adaption Strategy for Galway City. The draft Strategy is to be fully developed in early 2019, with a public consultation on the draft Strategy expected to be held in summer 2019. Following conclusion of the public consultation, the draft strategy will be brought to the Council (Elected Representatives) for consideration for adoption in September 2019.

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4.2 Energy Efficiency and 2020 Targets

Galway City Council is a Public Sector Body with obligations and targets under the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), the European Communities (Energy End–Use Efficiency and Energy Services) Regulations 2009, and SI 426 of 2014, including;

• Achieving a 33% target for energy efficiency improvement on a baseline year of 2009 by the end of 2020.

• Provide information in annual reports, a statement describing the actions it is taking to improve its energy efficiency and an assessment of its progress towards the 33% target.

• Implement energy–efficient procurement practices

• All public buildings with gross internal floor areas greater than 250m2 are required to have Display Energy Certificates in prominent places clearly visible to the public

• All buildings with floor area greater than 500m2 or an energy spend of greater than €35,000 must have an energy audit completed every 4–years by a Registered Energy Auditor

• Large organisations (>250 employees) to have completed either an organisational energy audit or demonstrate that the organisation is implementing an approved energy management system.

Galway City Council is a member of the Public Sector Energy Partnership Programme and is reporting annually to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland on progress.

Progress on achieving the 33% target – Energy Performance Indicator (EnPI)

Base Year taken as average of 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Base Year

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2020Target

EnPI 100 86.3 92.9 85.6 84.2 79.3 66.0 70.8 71.3 69.7 67.0

2006

30

60

90

120

02007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Actual

Target Glidepath

Nor

mal

ised

EnP

I

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Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Indicators

Indicator Units 2016 2017 2018Organisation Energy Use

Total Final Consumption GWh 14.3 14.5 No data

Total Primary Energy GWh 24.0 23.4 No data

Energy Efficiency Performance Indicator – 71.3 69.7 No data

Sub Category – Buildings

Buildings owned and leased nr 51 49 49

Energy Audits Completed nr 0 1 1

Number of public buildings with Display Energy Certificates on display nr 1 1 8

Total Floor Area of public buildings with Display Energy Certificates on display m2 4,987 4,987 20,181

Total Final Consumption Thermal GWh 3.8 4.5 No data

Total Final Consumption Electricity GWh 2.5 2.3 No data

Total Primary Energy GWh 9.5 9.5 No data

% On–site Renewable Energy % 0 0 No data

Deep Retrofits of Social Housing completed nr 1,127 70 No data

Sub Category – Public Lighting & Traffic Installations

public lights nr 9,200 9,200 9,200

Nr of LED Lights nr 692 847 1,109

% LED lights nr 8% 9% 12%

Total Final Consumption GWh 4.9 4.8 No data

Total Primary Energy GWh 10.7 10.5 No data

Sub Category – Transportation

Fuel Consumed in Delivery of Services GWh 2.76 2.72 No data

% Renewable Fuel % 2.1% 2.9% No data

Sub Category – Waste & Other Processes

Total Final Consumption GWh 0.5 0.3 No data

Total Primary Energy GWh 1.0 0.7 No data

Indicator Units 2016 2017 2018Organisation Energy Use t CO2 5,273 4,869 No data

Sub Category – Buildings t CO2 2,031 1,969 No data

Sub Category – Public Lighting & Traffic Installations t CO2 2,434 2,458 No data

Sub Category – Transportation t CO2 649 632 No data

Sub Category – Waste & Other Processes t CO2 159 190 No data

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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5

Mobility

Galway City Council & Galway County Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, have developed the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS), an Integrated Transport Strategy for Galway City & Environs.

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5.1 Transport Strategy Progress

Galway City Council & Galway County Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority, have developed the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS), an Integrated Transport Strategy for Galway City & Environs. The GTS sets out a series of actions and measures, covering infrastructural, operational and policy elements to be implemented in Galway over the next 20 years and sets out a framework to deliver the projects in a phased manner.

The Galway Transport Strategy is ongoing with the following projects currently being progressed:

N6 Galway City Ring Road

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement for the N6 Galway City Ring Road (GCRR) have been submitted to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory process has commenced and legal notification has been posted to all property owners from whom property is to be acquired and those with a legal interest in those lands.

Galway City Centre Transport Management Plan

The Galway City Centre Transport Management Plan (GCCTMP) aims to remove non–essential

motorised traffic from the core city centre. The GCCTMP is currently at design stage with the emerging preferred routes being agreed at present. It is expected that the Plan will be submitted for planning in quarter two 2019.

The Dublin Road Bus Corridor

The Dublin Road Bus Corridor is currently at design stage and forms part of the proposed bus network as outlined in the GTS. The Dublin Road Bus Corridor aims to provide dedicated bus and cycle facilities in both direction along the old Dublin road between the Martin Roundabout and Moneenageisha junction.

Local Road Schemes and Junction Upgrades

A number of local road schemes and junction upgrades are progressed and ongoing. Any work undertaken within the City takes cognisance of the public transport, cycle and walking network as outlined in the strategy.

Bike Week in Galway and Bike Scheme in Galway.

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5.2 Expansion of Coca–Cola Zero Bike Rental Scheme

The Coca–Cola Zero Bike Share Scheme was expanded with the construction of eight new stations bringing the total number of stations in Galway City to 23.

The new stations are located at the following locations:• NUIG, where 3 sites have been identified across

the campus;

• University Hospital;

• Galway Shopping Centre at Bodkin junction;

• Westside Shopping Centre on Seamus Quirke Road;

• Dublin Road, at Glenina Heights, opposite Bon Secours Hospital

• Dublin Road at GMIT.

Following the introduction of the additional 8 stations the number of journey undertaken on the Galway bike scheme increased by 73% to 23,706 trips. The new stations have been amongst the most popular since they opened.

The National Transport Authority and Coca–Cola Zero extended the Bike Rental Scheme in Galway City in September 2017

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5.3 European Mobility Week

Galway City Council participates in European Mobility Week on an annual basis (http://www.mobilityweek.eu/) . The aim of the City Council is to support and organise activities and events which promote and contribute to a shift towards sustainable urban transport.

In Ireland, European Mobility Week is promoted by Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS). The Department strongly encourage local authorities to use the Week to test new transport measures and get feedback from the public.

A number of events were organised by Galway City Council as part of mobility week including:

• Go Car Carsharing Scheme launch (2018)

• Car–Free Day (2017 & 2018)

• City Centre Cycles (2017 & 2018).

Further information on the 2018 initiatives is outlined below, to give a flavour of the type of events and promotions Galway City Council supports on an annual basis.

5.4 Launch of Go Car Carsharing scheme

As part of European Mobility Week and supported by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Galway City Council launched a car sharing pilot project being advanced by GoCar Ireland in partnership with the City Council.

Carsharing allows people to hire cars for as little as an hour using an online booking system or smart phone app to reserve the vehicle and in–car technology to unlock and drive the car. Car Sharing has been proven to replace between 10–15 private cars, as well as increasing the use of public transport.

Up to 11 cars have been approved for the pilot and these will be parked at nominated locations in Galway City such as City Hall Car Park, Dyke Road Car Park, Greyhound/Sports Ground Car Park, Mill Street Car Park, Raven Terrace Car Park, Cathedral car Park, Salthill Car Park, Bowling Green Car Park, Rockbarton Road (Leisureland), Woodquay Car Park, Seamus Quirke Road (back of Hospital) and Ceannt Train Station.

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5.5 Car–Free Day

Cities carry out a Car–Free Day event by closing one or more streets to traffic and instead opening it to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. A total of 218 cities/towns across Europe have registered to participate in Car–Free day in 2018 and will be closing a street to cars on Friday 22nd September.

Galway City Road Closure

Galway City Council participated again in 2017 with the closure of Foster Street and Eglington Street to private cars. This closure is a permanent measure included in our Galway Transportation Strategy (GTS). The closure took place from 10am to 2pm.

‘Kidicall Mass’ Cycle

As part of car free day a ‘Kidicall Mass’ cycle was organised by Tiernan McCusker, Green–Schools Travel Officer with An Taisce Environmental Education Unit; in conjunction with the West End Traders and Galway City Council.

This family Cycle commenced at Fr. Burke Park taking the following route: Fr. Griffin Road, Wolfe Tone Bridge, Flood Street, Cross Street, O’Brien’s Bridge, Mill Street, Presentation Church, and Down the Canal, back to Dominick Street and finally back to Fr. Burke Park.

IDA Mervue Car Free DayOn Tuesday 18th September 2018 the IDA Mervue hosted a Car Free Day. IDA Business Park Mervue Employees were encouraged to leave their cars at home and to try walking, cycling, public transport or car–sharing on that day. Incentives to promote the day included:

• Free bike maintenance service

• Warm up classes

• Free hi–vis accessories

• Personalised journey planning information

• Health information

City Centre CycleAs part of European Mobility Week and during the Car–Free day, Galway City Council once again organised a city centre cycle, this time for secondary school pupils. The cycle was organised in conjunction with the Gardaí, Civil Defence and An Taisce Green–Schools.

The 22nd September is European Car–Free Day and is part of Mobility Week.

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5.6 National Bike Week

The event which is funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is now in its tenth year (as of 2018). The Galway Bike Festival promotes cycling for everyone, supports a dynamic cycling culture in the city and county and aims to increase the number of cyclists in Galway. Galway Bike Festival is a celebration of all that is great about cycling – it’s good for your health, good for the city, and good for the environment.

The event features a broad range of different events catering for beginners, second time around cyclists, leisure bikers, and the more serious bicycle enthusiasts. The festival endeavours to attract and encourage cyclists, particularly new cyclists of all age groups to discover the enjoyment and benefits of cycling, promoting a sustainable, healthy and low–carbon means of travel.

The programme includes free bike checks, fun cycles, lunchtime city cycles, heritage cycles, bike maintenance workshops, cycling events for young adults and children with physical disabilities, school cycling events and much more. Organised by Galway City Council and Galway County Council, community groups, charities and cycling groups, there was an event for every age and ability, with cycling events taking place throughout the week all over Galway.

Galway Bike Festival is an opportunity for people to get back in the saddle and reduce their carbon footprint.

The Galway Bike Festival takes place on an annual basis, for one week in June.

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5.7 NUI Galway Coke Bikes Promotion September 2018

The National Transport Authority launched the Coca–Cola Zero bikes at NUI Galway on Wednesday 13th September at the SU Freshers’ Fair. Coca–Cola hosted free spin classes for the students of NUI Galway to celebrate the launch and on the day students and employees of NUIG were offered free membership to the bike scheme. Refreshments were also served.

5.8 Park ‘n’ Stride

5.9 Christmas Park & Ride

Park ‘n’ Stride is an initiative by Galway City Council and An Taisce Green Schools and has been running since 2013. Park ‘n’ Stride works by encouraging parents to park in nearby designated car parks free of charge for a short period of time, while they walk or scoot their children to school. This initiative alleviates school gate congestion while children and parents get some physical exercise on the way to and from school.

Aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Galway City in the run up to Christmas, Galway City Council operates the Christmas Park & Ride Service during December from Ballybrit Racecourse to the City Centre on an annual basis. Park and Ride offers a number of advantages to customers over car travel whether working, shopping or socialising in Galway City at Christmas time. The high frequency of buses, competitive pricing and the faster journey time using the bus lanes, make the journey stress–free and reliable.

All Ireland Chamption hurler Gearóid McInerney launches the bike scheme in NUIG, September 2018.

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6

Biodiversity & Land Use

The awarding of the European Green Leaf for 2017 to the city recognises the Council’s ongoing commitment to improved environmental outcomes and awareness.

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6.1 Galway City Development Plan

The awarding of the European Green Leaf for 2017 to the city recognises the Council’s ongoing commitment to improved environmental outcomes and awareness.

The City Development Plan which came into effect in 2017 for a six year period refers to the Green Leaf status for the city. The plan includes 7 strategic goals which represent the priorities of the Council in respect of the future development and use of land and resources in the city.

The strategic goals of Galway City Development Plan relate to quality of life; sustainability; protection of the natural environment; innovation and economic development; equality and inclusivity; climate change adaptation and mitigation; integration of land use and transportation and civic engagement.

These goals provide for direction with regard to the land use policies and objectives in the plan and all developments are assessed against the benchmark of these goals and policies. Strategic environmental assessment and appropriate assessment was carried out in tandem with the development plan to ensure environmental matters were considered at all stages in the plan process. Strategic Flood Risk assessment was also undertaken. The implementation of the plan will include for ongoing environmental monitoring through the strategic environmental assessment process.

6.2 Local Area Plan Ardaun

In 2018, Galway City Council adopted a Local Area Plan for Ardaun. This area in the east of the city is designated to accommodate significant future population growth in the city. The Local Area Plan sets out a framework for the development of a high quality living and working neighbourhood based on sustainable principles.

The plan aims to ensure that the growth of Ardaun includes for a variety of homes, community facilities, high quality open spaces and public realm. It includes for measures to support enhanced biodiversity and sustainable urban drainage systems. It supports the use of sustainable transportation, low carbon energy and green design.

The plan is the product of extensive environmental assessment through the strategic environmental assessment process and the appropriate assessment process. It also included significant collaboration and engagement with stakeholders and the public.

The implementation of the plan will include for ongoing environmental monitoring through the strategic environmental assessment process, though a programme of active land management and though the ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders and the emerging new community.

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6.3 Community Gardens Harvest Celebration Seminar

6.4 Growing in Small Spaces, Finding in Wild Spaces

This event was organised with the support of European Region of Gastronomy and Healthy Ireland. Galway became the European Region of Gastronomy in 2018, recognising Galway’s reputation as a top food destination and source of high quality food both nationally and internationally. Sustainability is a key theme of Galway’s designation.

The purpose of the event was to celebrate the large number of volunteers engaged in community gardens in the city; to encourage new volunteers to join the gardens; and to offer a large scale event

The Growing in Small Spaces, Finding in Wild Spaces seminar (26th April 2018) was organised in conjunction with Galway City Partnership and Healthy Ireland, in support of European Region of Gastronomy 2018 and the newly–formed Galway Food Policy Council.

The event was a celebration of urban food growing and foraging, encouraging those living in the city to use the space and skills they have to grow food, and support pollinators.

Speakers included Mark Ridsdill–Smith, from Vertical Veg in the UK, and Kathleen McMahon, a forager and food producer from Black River Wild Foods. Over 100 people signed up for the event, which was very well received.

to share knowledge on growing local, organic produce that supports biodiversity and pollination.

Speakers included: Charles Dowding – an acclaimed innovator of ‘no dig’, organic growing. Dr Colin Sage, Chair of the Cork Food Policy Council Steering Committee, and Dee Sewell, Community Gardens Ireland. Over 130 people registered for the event.

The event was very well received by attendees, and supported the establishment of the Galway Healthy Food Policy Council.

Speakers at Community Gardens Harvest Celebration Seminar.

Speakers at Growing in Small Spaces, Finding in Wild Space seminar.

Galway City Council hosted the Community Gardens Harvest Celebration Seminar, on Friday 20th of October 2017, in conjunction with Let’s Get Galway Growing and Galway City Partnership.

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6.5 NUI Galway – University Biodiversity Trail

6.6 Galway City Biodiversity Story Maps

As part of the launch of the NUI Galway Sustainability Strategy, Galway City Council supported the design and print of leaflets and a storyboard panel for the new NUIG Biodiversity Trail. This trail complements the existing University Trail in NUI Galway.

The nature trail leaflet was developed to guide people through the natural environments and habitats that make NUI Galway’s riverside campus so special, and that are also used for both research and teaching within the campus community. The campus grounds are a haven for people and nature. They provide the city with green spaces to relax, to destress, to problem solve, to feel restored and take exercise.

The biodiversity leaflet/ storyboards were developed to enrich people’s experience of a city campus that is rich in nature, increase the number of people using the campus grounds and raise awareness of campus biodiversity. Significant resources were invested by NUIG to develop this trail, including an intern working for 10 weeks to

Building on the NUIG Biodiversity Trail resource which focuses on the NUIG campus, Galway City Council worked with Birdwatch Ireland to develop Biodiversity Story Maps for Galway City. Story maps are a simple yet powerful tools to inform and engage with a target audience to disseminate spatial specific information using an interactive map with narrative text, images and multimedia content.

The Galway City Biodiversity Story Maps showcase the biodiversity and green spaces of Galway City, focusing on looped trails around the city, in Barna Woods, Rusheen Park and Silver Strand; and the city centre canal and river walk to Nimmo’s Pier. The story maps will be available as a bilingual resource in 2019.

put together the information, Bioblitz events in previous years collating data (between 43—45 people in 2015 and 2016 surveyed moths, bats caddisflies, birds butterflies, bees, bugs and small mammals over a 24 hour period), and student and staff time. The Community University Sustainability Project part–funded this project.

For more information, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/biodiversitytrail/

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6.7 Schools Mini–Orchard Scheme 2018

6.8 Natural and Human Heritages – Lecture Series

Schools in Galway City were offered the opportunity to start their own ‘mini orchard’ in 2017/ 2018. The scheme supports schools to demonstrate local food growing to the school community; provide apples for use in class as a learning resource; contribute to schools’ biodiversity, enhanced amenity and environment; and contribute to enhanced air quality through tree planting.

6 schools requested trees, which were planted by the students in February/March 2018.

Researchers in the National University of Ireland, Galway, supported the Green Leaf programme in Galway City through sharing insights and their research, as part of a spring lunchtime Lecture Series in the Town Hall Theatre, from Friday 20th January to Friday 10th March 2018.

8 weekly talks included topics such as Climate Change, prehistoric farming, soil loss and the development of a Karst landscape in western Ireland; Low Carbon Energy Communities in Irish Islands; Fishing for Consensus on Ireland’s Salmon Farms and Irish Winter Climates: From Storms to Frost and Back again among others.

Students from Coláiste Einde planting their mini-orchard.

Children from Claddagh N.S. planting their apple trees.

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7

Quality of Air & the Acoustic Environment

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7.1 Air Quality Monitoring

7.2 Air Quality Monitoring “Suburban Traffic” Sites

7.3 Air Quality Monitoring “Suburban Background” Sites

7.4 Air Quality Monitoring Urban Traffic Sites

Air Quality has been monitored in Galway City since 2006, with data recorded at an air quality monitoring station located at the Bodkin Roundabout. Galway City Council meet with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National University of Ireland and Public Analyst Laboratory (Health Service Executive) on an annual basis to discuss air quality in the City and the potential

impacts of climate change on air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are Ireland’s National Agency overseeing Air Pollution. The National University of Ireland (NUIG) have been involved in monitoring and reporting air quality at the air quality monitoring station at the Bodkin Roundabout.

The Bodkin Roundabout will be upgraded to a “Suburban Traffic Site” for reporting air quality under the Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/50/EC) 2008. In 2018, Galway City Council and the EPA commenced planning and design of the upgrade, which is

expected to be completed in 2019. The upgrade when completed will have real–time monitoring with the data gathered made available to the public through the EPA’s Air Quality National Monitoring Network.

In 2018, Galway City Council installed a new “Suburban Background” air monitoring station at the Rahoon Road, on the west side of the City. This station is monitoring ambient levels of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and is of

national importance. Data recorded at the station is reported by the EPA for Air Quality Zone C, the Zone representative of Air Quality for all the major urban areas outside Ireland’s two largest cities, Dublin and Cork.

In 2017 and 2018, Galway City Council and the EPA commenced planning a new “Urban Traffic Site” for reporting air quality under Ambient Air Quality and Cleaner Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (2008/50/EC) 2008.

In November 2017 Galway City Council in partnership Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

commenced a programme of monthly sampling of NO2 across the City using the NO2 Diffusion Tubes. The programme has been on–going throughout 2018. The results of the sampling will inform the selection of the site for a new air quality monitoring station located within the City Centre.

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8

Waste Management & the Green Economy

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8.1 Plastic Free Week February 2018

8.2 Anti–Dumping Initiative 2017/2018

High profile Galweigans were invited to tackle the challenge of living ‘plastic free’ for the week commencing 5th February 2018, as part of Plastic Free Week in Galway City. 22 local ambassadors joined NUI Galway, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, schools across the city and two Mayors from the EGL Network in this initiative. Plastic Free Week aimed to reduce the use of single–use, disposable plastic products, through action, education and example. A schools information pack, posters, banners and participants pack was developed for this promotion.

Experts including The World Economic Forum warn that at current rates of production, consumption and disposal of plastic, there will be more plastic than fish, in terms of weight, in the world’s oceans by 2050. About 280 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, and only a small percentage is recycled. About 13 million tonnes of the rest ends up in the world’s oceans, costing several billion dollars per year in environmental damage to marine ecosystems.

The focus of Plastic Free Week was to start a discussion around single use plastics and their alternatives, and to raise awareness of the topic city–wide.

Galway City Council successfully applied for Irish Government funding for Anti–Dumping measures in 2017 and 2018. Initiatives included development and distribution of a leaflet on waste services in Galway City, area clean ups and school workshops.

In addition, local communities are supported to do their own clean ups through provision of plastic bags, litter pickers and gloves by Galway City Council, with pick up of litter collected also provided.

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Areas Clean Ups 2018:Dyke Road – This was a clean–up with preventative measures installation. Total waste removed was 2.6 tonne, with CCTV installed to assist in deterring litter/dumping whilst also assisting in investigations of same should they occur.

Westside – This was both an awareness campaign and area wide clean–up inclusive of preventative measures. Total waste removed was 3.6 tonne. Again CCTV was installed to assist in deterring litter/dumping whilst also assisting in investigations of same.

A Door to Door survey was conducted in approx. 1,500 homes to identify how waste was disposed

of in these households. Householders were given leaflets and information on the waste services Galway City Council provide e.g. bulky goods collection, civic amenity site.

Sliabh Ban – This was a clean–up with preventative measures installation. Total waste removed 16.66 tonnes. CCTV was installed to assist in deterring litter/dumping whilst also assisting in investigations of same should they occur.

Waste and BiodiversityAs part of the Anti–Dumping initiative 2018, 16 school workshops linking ‘Leave no Trace’ principles and impact on nature and biodiversity were commissioned by Galway City Council.

8.3 Litter Management Unit

Galway City Council has 27 staff involved in street cleaning and litter management, commencing from 5am each morning, seven days a week. The Litter Management Unit ensures that the city is clean and ready for visitors, as businesses open their doors in the morning.

The works involve 5 road and footpath sweepers, litter bin servicing, and litter picking in all areas of the city. The Litter Management Unit also work in conjunction with local residents associations, Tidy Towns and clean-up groups who collect localised litter. Galway City Council remove litter collected

as part of clean ups, supporting volunteer efforts and enhancing the overall image of the city. One such litter pick in April 2017, organised by Friends of Merlin Woods, collected over 70 bags and household items, with 45 volunteers picking litter.

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8.4 Solar Bins

In 2018, Galway City piloted the installation of solar bins to increase the capacity of the street bins in busy areas in the city, and prevent litter. On foot of this pilot, Galway City Council will upgrade the city centre stock of litter bins to solar compacting litter bins, with the rollout of 50 additional bins.

The trial found a reduction of the frequency of collection by 80%. They also substantially reduces

street cleaning and litter picking requirements due to enclosed nature of bin which eliminates birds/vermin scattering rubbish across streets, parks and beaches.

Carbon savings of approx. 200 tonnes per annum due to reduction in servicing which will assist Galway City Council in achieving targets.

8.5 Don’t Let Food Go to Waste – Cookery Demo

Galway City Council and Galway County Council partnered with Galway Mayo Institute of Technology to host a public cookery demo, focusing on local, organic food and how to prevent food waste

(6th March 2018). Approximately 80 people registered for the event, which supported also Galway’s European Region of Gastronomy status.

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8.6 Support of Local Waste Reduction Campaigns

ReCupán is a campaign of Transition Galway, which encourages businesses to give at least 10 cent off when a customer uses a reusable cup instead of a take away cup. By November 2017, the campaign had over 45 businesses involved. Students in the ALIVE student volunteering programme in NUI Galway linked with the campaign as part of their studies, to recruit new businesses and raise awareness of plastic use. ReCupán is complementary to the national Conscious Cup campaign, which is now becoming a national movement.

SAOL Café was operated by SCCUL Enterprises during the Green Leaf designation year of 2017. SCCUL Enterprises received a grant to support diversion of single–use coffee cups from landfill. At the end of 11 weeks of their programme, they had diverted 1,351 cups from landfill, by promoting compostable cups and compostable waste bins. The café encouraged reuse, with a 20cent price reduction given to customers using their own ware. They replaced all plastic water bottles with glass, and over time, made the move to fully compostable single–use items.

Galway City Council supported the ‘plastic free’ message of the conference of the International Society for Design and Development in Education (ISDDE) in Galway from 28–31st May 2018. Galway City Council sponsored prizes for a secondary school art competition, themed ‘Why making Galway plastic free matters to me’. This conference was organised by the School of Education in NUI Galway. Prizes were presented to winners by Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Pearce Flannery, on the 28th of May 2018.

Galway City Council participates in the annual national Gum Litter Campaign by IBEC, with a roadshow of educational workshops taking place in September/October 2018.

Launch of the IBEC Gum Litter Campaign 2018.

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8.7 Reuse Month 2017/2018

Galway City Council promotes Repair Month, as part of the Waste Management Plan.

The message of national Reuse Month is ‘Repair–Remake–Reimagine’.

Activities included:

• Sew Last Season – repair workshops in conjunction with Sew Last Season, Galway’s social sewing space, in Galway Artisan Workshop (October 2018).

• Sew Scary Halloween Costume Competition from old clothes/ recycled materials (October 2017)

• Christmas Decoration competition, from recycled materials (2017 & 2018)

• Development of a pilot bike recycling scheme with the civic amenity site and the local community bike workshop, an Mheitheal Rothar (2018), in support of a circular economy and active travel.

8.8 Galway City Tidy Towns Garden Competition 2017/2018

The annual Galway City Tidy Towns Garden Competition is organised by Galway City Council on annual basis to recognise the efforts of residents, commercial organisations and public buildings to maintain and enhance the appearance of their gardens, estates, and public areas. Over 120 winners from houses, residential areas, schools, businesses and civic buildings were recognised in the 2017 and 2018 awards.

The achievements of award winners are applauded, as the feedback of the Judge noted the sheer amount of work carried out by residents, residents associations, public buildings, and commercial entrants, entirely on a voluntary basis.

Aisha Bah and Sophie Schirliu, Scoil Rois, winners of the Schools Best Floral Display 2018.

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Mercy Primary School. Mayor Niall McNeils and Seamus King, winner of the Best Front Garden overall (2018), with his granddaughter Eimear Kelly who helps in the garden.

Cllr. Terry O’Flaherty, pictured with her sister Betty O’Flaherty, winner of the Best Window Boxes/Floral Display 2018.

Bushy Park N.S.Eco School Winner 2018 St John The Apostle N.S.

Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh.

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9

Water & Waste Water Management

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9. Water & Wastewater Management

9.1 Infrastructure

Galway is a city of water — with our frequent wet days giving a lush green landscape, and inspiring linguists with delight with our range of descriptors for rain — from soft and misty, to spitting, bucketing, pelting and lashing.

Galway City has an extensive network of canals, which historically served as navigation channels, drainage for the Corrib catchment, fisheries, and sources of water and power for the city’s industries, which included some 30 mills in the mid-19th century6.

The canals feed into the mighty River Corrib — among the shortest rivers in Europe, with a length of only 6 kilometres from Lough Corrib to the

Extreme weather events in Ireland saw water restrictions and a ‘hose pipe ban’ imposed on a national basis in summer 2018, highlighting the importance of good water management by both householders and the local authorities.

Irish Water is Ireland’s national water utility, with responsibility for providing water and wastewater services throughout Ireland. Services are delivered in partnership with Local Authorities, under Service Level Agreements.

A key objective for Irish Water in collaboration with Local Authorities for the period 2014 to 2022 is to reduce leakage nationally from 47% to 38%. To this end Irish Water have produced a Leakage Reduction Programme for Galway City for 2018. This Plan aims to achieve a reduction of 1.9ML/d UFW in 2018 and a further target of 7.2ML/d reduction in UFW by 2021.

In 2017 Irish Water appointed a Regional Contractor with responsibility for water mains interventions and maintenance aimed primarily at reducing leakage and removal of common lead services.

Atlantic Ocean. However despite its length, the river is Ireland’s second largest river by flow.

The coastline in Galway city is very accessible — bringing much needed amenity and relaxation space to inhabitants, but also requiring protection, in order to manage the competing demands of the population of Galway for housing, transport, schools, food, employment, tourism, amenity, recreation, with the need of species and ecosystems for survival.

Pressure on our water system was particularly highlighted in the summer of 2018, which saw unusually good weather placing severe demands on water infrastructure nationwide.

The Regional contractor will carry out the following works, on the network in a prioritised manner:

1. New Mains and Service laying (less than 250mm diameter nominal bore)

2. Below Ground Network Rehabilitation work

3. Backyard Lead Replacement

4. DMA Establishment

5. PRV Works

6. Minor Works to include

7. Leak Repair, Public Side Lead Works and Metering

8. Find & Fix

The establishment of this dedicated resource will allow us to deliver significant improvements on our water networks and meet our target reductions as set out in the Leakage Reduction Programme for the city.

6 http://galway.net/galwayguide/history/waterways/

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9.2 Water Workshops

9.3 Water Month November 2017 –

Water Services delivered workshops on water treatment, water conservation and waste water in Merlin Woods Primary School (April 2017), in

conjunction with Irish Water. This was a lead in activity to Water Month in November 2017 (see below).

During the month of November 2017, Irish Water and Galway City Council carried out a number of water-themed events to celebrate Galway City’s designation as European Green Leaf City for 2017. These included a beach clean-up and safari for Irish Water/Galway City Council staff, tours of Mutton Island and Terryland treatment plants, and the launch of the Slow the Flow ebooklet and the ‘Water News’ newspaper, a special edition newspaper was compiled by the sixth class students of Holy Trinity National School, Mervue and the second class students of Merlin Woods National School, Doughiska.

Children from Merlin Woods National School launching The Water News in the Aquarium, November 2017.

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9.4 SeaFest Supporters Initiative

9.5 International Sports and Culture Association Award 2018

SeaFest, Ireland’s national maritime festival, took place in Galway on the 12th of June 2018. The festival is organised by the Marine Institute, which is based in Oranmore, Co. Galway. Galway City Council and the Marine Institute collaborated to develop the ‘Sea Fest Supporters’ initiative. In 2018, the festival aimed to highlight the impact of plastics in our oceans, with a particular focus on reducing single-use plastics on the festival site. Businesses and organisations across the city were invited to say ‘No to Plastic’ in our oceans, by adopting actions to reduce single-use plastics for the festival weekend and beyond.

Galway City Museum, Galway Atlantaquaira, 56 Central, Brazco Coffee Academy, Bank of Ireland,

An initiative of Healthy Galway, part of Healthy Ireland, received the ‘People’s Choice Award’ at the ISCA 2018 Awards in Paris, for their Salthill swim markers, as a recognition of partnerships to promote activity in urban spaces. The swim markers mark distances in Galway Bay, along the Salthill prom, encouraging visitors and residents to swim in the bay along Blue Flag beaches.

Celestica, CPL Recruitment, Food For Thought, Honest Kitchen, the Irish Greyhound Board, the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Temple Café, The Yield Lab Europe, The Heron’s Rest, Tropical Medical Bureau, Glenville Nutrition, Galway Convention Bureau and AMACH! LGBT Galway/Teach Solais Resource Centre are Supporters of SeaFest by participating in this initiative.

As part of the promotion, the Greyhound Stadium named their races and had information in the race card about ways to reduce plastic, over the weekend of Sea Fest. Displays from Conservation Volunteers Galway, the Recycling Ambassador programme, and Junior Chamber of Commerce Galway were also on site for the weekend races.

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Budget, Monitoring & Indicators

The Green Leaf status did not come with a grant from the Commission but there was an undertaking by the City Council to commit personnel and funding to the programme in 2017, and beyond the designation year in 2018.

A sum of 2215,000 was made available by the Council to deliver a programme of activities as part of European Green Leaf programme 2017/2018.

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10.1 Awareness of Green Leaf

10.2 Value of European Green Leaf Grants

As part of monitoring of the European Green Leaf status in Galway, Galway City Council commissioned two questions in a nationally representative omnibus survey, by Interactions Research. This was an online omnibus of 1,041 respondent, which was nationally representative and ran from 2nd to 8th of February 2018. An additional sample was recruited through Galway City social media channels and email invites (total 155 people, over a period of 13th to 28th February). The total sample size was 1,196.

The questions asked were

• Are you aware of the European Commission Green Leaf Programme?

• Are you aware that Galway City was the European Green Leaf City for 2017?

Grants made available through Galway City Council as part of the European Green Leaf designation contributed a significant number of volunteer hours to the local economy and to the social capital of Galway City.

Enthusiastic community, residential, voluntary and education groups committed their time and

ResultsOf 1196 respondents, 292 were aware of the European Green Leaf Programme.

Comparing Galway City to Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Limerick, more people in Galway City were aware of the EGL award, than those in other cities (63% vs 25% Limerick, 23% Cork, 17% Dublin, 6% Waterford). Total sample for these cities was 368 people.

Of 1196 respondents, 226 were aware that Galway was the Green Leaf City for 2017.

These results indicate a greater awareness of the European Green Leaf designation in Galway at the end of the designation year, than other cities in Ireland.

energy to environmental projects and initiatives, with a sample of 14 grantees clocking up over 3,450 hours on their projects, with a value of over €33,800 contributed in terms of their time (based on a minimum wage of €9.40). Many of these grantees continue to invest their time and energy in their projects, beyond the lifetime of these grants.

Galway city

Limerick city

Cork city

Dublin city

Waterford city

63%, 70

25%, 4

23%, 8

17%, 24

6%, 1

37%, 40

75%, 8

77%, 44

83%, 164

94%, 15

Yes No

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10.3 Engagement

Interactions on social media, registration for events, emails to the Green Leaf Coordinator, and requests for events and initiatives indicated strong interest in Galway’s European Green Leaf activities. Targeted advertising was undertaken for events e.g. seminars, Loving Galway events, with news and other updates promoted organically.

Galway City’s activities regularly featured on local and national media.

Facebook Reach March 2017 to October 2018. As a guide to the level of interest and engagement in the designation, the reach of the EGL page on Facebook from March 2017 to October 2018 is displayed.

Total Facebook reach 124,791

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6 http://galway.net/galwayguide/history/waterways/

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Commission Indicators:

A number of indicators were agreed between Galway City Council and the European Commission, summarised in the Memorandum of Understanding, a non-binding agreement between DG Environment and Galway, European Green Leaf (EGL) winner 2017.

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These indicators are summarised below:

Indicator Output

1 Organise a national event Green Your Gathering National Seminar

2 Organise two local events As per detail outlined in this report

3 Organise the EGL 2017 Plaque unveiling January 2017

4 Potentially host a satellite Green Week in the winning city

N/A attended Green Week, Brussels 2018

5 Host at least one meeting of the EGL Network Waste-themed EGLN meeting, February 2018

6 Attendance requested by the winning city:Participate in Green Week 2017 (Brussels and/or Essen);Attend the 2017 EGCA/EGL Award Ceremony at both political and operational levels.

Participated in Green Week 2018 in BrusselsAttended Award Ceremony 2017, and also attended in 2018 ceremony in Nijmegen

7 Publicity by the winning city:Any communication activity related to the action display the European Green Leaf Brand & include the following text "An Initiative of the European Commission

Logo included on logos, posters, flyers, email signature, grant paperwork, social media etc.

8 Branding requirements of the winning city: Where possible the winning city must prominently display the European Green Leaf brand identity on all electronic, online and printed materials it produces.

Logo included on materials, as above

9 Collaboration with Capital of Culture Collaborated for Green Your Gathering national seminar, and waste reduction activities in Galway2020 offices

10 Chairing the European Green Leaf Network during the winning year of 2017

Changed to 2018, included hosting EGLN in February 2018

11 Communication between DG Environment, the winning city and the EGL Secretariat telephone conferences/calls be-tween the winning city and the EGL Secretariat/DG Environment Project Manager

Organised as required with Secretariat and/ or European Commission

12 Winning City Reporting A winning city final report –

As per this report

13 A five year update report would also be desirable from the EGL winner

For review in 2022

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12

Learnings and Outcomes

Galway City Council was proud to receive the European Green Leaf designation from the European Commission for 2017. The designation was a recognition of Galway’s ambition to take positive steps in terms of environmental challenges, and to celebrate the wealth of environmental activity taking place in the city over the preceding decades.

The designation added significant value to the city, allowing City Officials the opportunity to liaise with our European counterparts about environmental issues; to benchmark and share experiences; and to identify future inspirations and projects for the City.

The designation put a spotlight on environmental performance to date in Galway City, and highlighted both areas for showcasing and improvement. Of note are the enthusiastic and committed staff of Galway City Council, and members of the environmental and voluntary community in Galway City, for the time and dedication they give to protecting and enhancing our city. From the schools who teach our children an appreciation of nature, plastic and pollinators; to the business groups who support litter picks and overhaul their environmental practices; to the community groups who call on politicians to take greater action in the face of environmental challenges — Galway City is in the position it is today because of these people and organisations.

2017 and 2018 were an opportunity for City Council to support these individuals, through grants, seminars, and collaborations — the highlight of which was the 10–day Loving Galway Festival. This festival was a unique collaboration between the Galway City Community Network, Youth Work Ireland Galway, Green–Schools, NUI Galway, Friends of Merlin Woods and a wealth of environmental actors across the city. It was a fitting showcase and conclusion to the formal European Green Leaf programme in Galway City.

Recommendations from Galway’s year as European Green Leaf are as follows:

• Collaborate and showcase — with community groups, schools, third levels, businesses, local authority staff, the Mayor, and Elected Members — their support adds voices and weight to the Green Leaf messaging and events, and gives an opportunity to reach new audiences, and to hear new ideas. Stakeholders in Galway City were keen to engage, to offer ideas, to participate and to organise — this social capital and goodwill was invaluable in Galway. In particular the support of the three Mayors involved in European Green Leaf was very positive.

• Allocate a Coordinator — as this work cannot happen without the appointment of a dedicated

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team or individual, ideally starting before the designation and having time after the designation year to reflect, report and build on the designation.

• For future years, Galway City Council would commend the allocation of initial seed funding from the European Commission to winning cities, in order to support them with their endeavours. A mechanism to support cities after their designation year could also be established at a national level, in order to capitalise on ground covered in the designation year in the area of marketing, communications and behaviour change. Existing funding mechanisms could be amended to facilitate this.

• The support and participation of the Commission at Green Leaf initiatives in Galway City would also be very welcome. This would be an opportunity to communicate to local stakeholders the importance of the award to the Commission, and to give those living and working in the city an opportunity to hear from the Commission.

• Network — attendance at the EGL Network events and Green Week was a valuable opportunity to meet and share ideas with other winning cities. The value of this collaboration more than makes up for the time penalty travelling to and from Green Leaf cities, which can be some distance from capital cities. Long term engagement in the Network, beyond the designation year, should be facilitated through appropriate funding mechanisms to allow cities to benefit from the initial engagement in their designation year. This engagement could also include Green Capitals where appropriate.

• Timing — Galway’s activity ran beyond the designation year, into 2018. This was essential to build on engagement started in 2017, and saw the delivery of a range of events including the Loving Galway Festival. A year is a short time to deliver a programme — leeway to overrun the designation year can be very valuable to the winning city.

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Many of the initiatives at the core of environmental management in Galway City are unseen, and uncelebrated — from environmental reporting, to waste water management or delivering the Development Plan for the city. The ‘visible’ side of Green Leaf in Galway City included news articles, public events, marketing, communications, competitions and seminars. This public awareness adds ‘fairy dust’ the day–to–day workings of Galway City Council to effectively manage our waste, water, air, biodiversity, mobility and energy. This is a long–term, slow–moving endeavour, which can take many years to produce a visible result. European Green Leaf was an opportunity to showcase and highlight some of the city’s achievements to date, with a view to building on them in the challenging times ahead.

This showcasing opportunity highlights the importance of mainstreaming and resourcing marketing, communications and behaviour change in the context of environmental management. Technological solutions will only bring us so far in relation to environmental challenges — behavioural solutions can be far more cost-effective in tackling waste and consumption, energy use, mobility, water, air quality, climate change and protecting our environmental heritage. Green Leaf highlights the value of this activity, and points to the need to resource effective communications, marketing

and behaviour change as part of the solution to climate change and other significant environmental challenges faced by local authorities.

Although the designation year has now passed, Galway City Council will continue to put environmental issues to the forefront — through other designations such as Galway2020, Capital of Culture; European Region of Gastronomy 2018; and collaborations with organisations such as NUI Galway and the Environmental Protection Agency. For example, Galway2020 are holding an environmental message close to their hearts — having introduced a requirement to address environmental issues for all events in the cultural programme, as well as implementing an Environmental Management Policy in the Galway2020 office.

Galway City Council wishes to thank DG Environment and the European Commission for honouring the city with this award, which will no doubt be built on in future years.

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Conclusion

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Complementary Strategies and Designations

Galway Cultural Strategy

Heritage Plan for Galway

City Development

Plan

Galway Climate Change

Strategy Galway Transport Strategy

Sustainable Development

Goals

Biodiversity Action Plan for Galway 214-2024

Local Economic Community

Plan for Galway City

European Region of

Gastronomy

Estate Management

Strategy

Galway Tourism Strategy Galway Energy

Strategy

Galway Energy Strategy

City of Culture 2020

“... a sustainable, resilient urban...and well-being for all its people...” From Local Economic Community Plan for Galway City

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Published August 2019

Comhairle Cathrach na GaillimheHalla na Cathrach, Bóthar an CholáisteGaillimh, Éire H91 X4K8 Galway City CouncilCity Hall, College Road Galway, Ireland H91 X4K8

00 353 91 536 400www.galwaycity.ie

@GalwayCityCouncil @GalwayCityCo @GalwayGreenLeaf @GalwayGreenLeaf