GALWAY CITY EUROPEAN GREEN LEAF 2017 Final Report Contents Foreword 3 1 Introduction 5 2 Citizen Engagement, Participation & Public Awareness 7 Flagship Events & Activities 11 3 4 Climate Change & Energy Performance 25 5 Mobility 29 Biodiversity & Land Use 37 6 Quality of Air & the Acoustic Environment 43 7 Waste Management & the Green Economy 45 8 Water & Wastewater Management 53 9 Budget, Monitoring & Indicators 57 10 Commission Indicators 60 11 Learnings and Outcomes 62 12 Conclusion 64 13 Complementary Strategies and Designations 65 15 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 1 2 Foreword Galway City was awarded the designation It is our role as the Local Authority charged with the of European Green Leaf from the European management of the Galway City administrative area Commission at an awards ceremony in 2016. The to work with the stakeholders who have protected award was the culmination of decades of activity in our environment to date, to ensure we continue Galway City — by schools, community groups and to experience a high quality place for our children organisations, volunteers, City Councillors and staff and future generations to live in. In the context of — to enhance and protect the environment which increased consumption and climate change, these makes Galway City an attractive place to live, work, will be challenging demands. However, the European and play. Green Leaf award is an indication of how Galway City intends to address these challenges — face on, Galway is a harbour city, on the west coast of and in partnership with the stakeholders who have Ireland, where the river Corrib meets the Atlantic safe–guarded the city to date. 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. Mr. Brendan McGrath, Cllr. Neil McNelis, Cllr. Pearce Flannery, Cllr. Noel Larkin, Chief Executive Mayor of Galway City, Mayor of Galway City, Mayor of Galway City, 2018—2019 2017—2018 2016—2017 3 1 Introduction Galway is the first Irish city to be awarded the European Green Leaf designation, and the third city ever to receive the designation. Mayor of Galway City, Noel Larkin, receives the European Green Leaf plaque from Ms. Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General, DG Environment, European Commission (2016). 4 1 Introduction In 2016, Galway City was awarded the designation Galway City values these recognitions, and the of European Green Leaf 2017, by the European positive spotlight they put on our city. They inspire Commission. The European Green Leaf Award Galway to achieve more in the area of environmental is open to all towns and cities across Europe management and recognition for the City. with a population of 20,000 up to 100,000 For example, inhabitants. The designation is awarded to cities that demonstrate well–established records of high • Galway recently entered the Top 20 Destinations environmental standards and a commitment to on the Global Destination Sustainability Index at setting ambitious goals for future environmental the ICCA congress in Dubai, out of a total of 46 progress, underpinned by the practical application entries (2018). Galway is the only region in Ireland of sustainable development. to place in the Top 201. The City of Galway is a vibrant, diverse, cultural, • In November 2018, Galway was named ‘Best City university city. It is a city of learning, a city of youth, in Ireland’ at the Bank of Ireland — Enterprise a city of rich cultural heritage and of stunning Town Awards in Kilkenny, as a result of creative natural environment and quality of life. Located collaboration between the local business groups; just two hours from the Capital of the Republic Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Galway Chamber of Commerce of Ireland, Dublin, Galway City’s population today and the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Níall continues to grow with an influx of new residents McNelis. — Galway City has the title of fastest growing city in Europe, and is the most international city in • Galway City was included in the National Ireland, with 1 in 4 residents born outside the Irish Geographic Traveler Magazine ‘Best Trips 2019’ State. Galway’s Irish name, Gaillimh, is said by some listing, under the Culture Heading. Galway is the to originate from the Irish word, gaill, meaning only Irish city to be included in this list, and one “outsiders” or “foreigners” and the term resonates of only 7 European destinations included in the throughout the city’s history. list of 28 worldwide. The European Green Leaf designation was awarded The aim of the Municipality of Galway City is to to Galway City on the basis of a bid covering the create a city that people aspire to live in, to work themes of: in and to visit. The awards and recognitions listed above are an important acknowledgement in that 1. Climate Change & Energy Performance regard, and are complementary to our prestigious 2. Mobility Green Leaf designation. 3. Biodiversity & Land Use 4. Quality of Air & the Acoustic Environment This report details Galway’s year as European Green 5. Waste Management & Green Economy Leaf city in 2017, and beyond the designation year 6. Water & Wastewater Management in 2018, when Galway became Chair of the European Green Leaf Network, and really began to build on Galway City is fortunate to have many beautiful projects and initiatives commenced in 2017 as part natural areas and it is vital that these areas are of the designation. The report is thematic in nature, protected, enhanced and conserved. giving a flavour of activity underway in 2017 and 2018. The European Green Leaf Award was a significant achievement for Galway City, and complementary The original Galway City application, and Judges to the city’s subsequent designations of European Technical feedback, can be accessed at http:// Region of Gastronomy (2018) and European Capital ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/ of Culture (2020), both of which place a strong europeangreenleaf/egl–winning–cities/galway/ emphasis on sustainability. 1 As of November 2018 5 2 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. 6 2 Citizen Engagement, Participation & Public Awareness 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: • ALIVE student volunteering office, National • European Region of Gastronomy University of Ireland Galway • Fáilte Ireland • An Mheitheal Rothar • Galway Atlantaquaria • An Taisce Green–Schools • Galway City Community Network • An Taisce Think Before you Flush/Clean Coasts • Galway City Partnership • Bardzo Ladnie Foundation • Galway Convention Bureau • Birdwatch Ireland • Galway Mayo Institute of Technology • Business representative groups/local businesses • Galway2020 • Community and cultural groups including Third • Mayors of Galway City in 2016, 2017 and 2018 Space Galway and Transition Galway • SAOL Café/SCCUL Enterprises • Community University Sustainability Project NUI Galway • Sustainable Travel Working Group NUI Galway • Elected representatives • The Marine Institute • EPA Green Business/Clean Technology Centre • Youth Work Ireland, Galway. 2.1 Engagement Engagement with stakeholders took many forms, both in person and virtual. They included: • Stakeholder Meetings For more in–depth detail on resulting initiatives, please see the thematic Chapters of this report. • 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 7 8 2.2 Ambassador Role As an ambassador for European Green Leaf, Galway City Council proudly engaged with stakeholders interested in the designation, both internationally and locally. This included: • Meeting/interacting with local community and • Facilitating a student tour by Lycée Georges environmental groups and members of the public. Cabanis, Brive–La–Gaillarde, France, in support of their proposed application for the Green Flag • Collaborating with the Galway European Region of award (March 2018)2 Gastronomy team to deliver co–branded events. • Hosting a visiting Health promotion team from • Collaborating and consulting with Galway 2020, Healthy Cities, Riga, Lativia (May 2018). European Capital of Culture. • Attendance at the On the Move Policy Lab • Attendance at GreenFest Torres Vedras 24–26 on Culture and Climate Change, Leeuwarden, March 2017. Netherlands, 3rd & 4th