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Policy Perspectives on Resource Efficiency

EPA Sustainable Environment Research Planning Workshop

September 25th 2013

Brendan O’Neill

DECLG

Structure of Presentation

The EU Resource Efficiency Policy Process

Irish Legislation and Policy on Resource Efficiency

Focus on Resource Efficiency in Waste management in Ireland

Research on Resource Efficiency?

EU Resource Efficiency Policy

Process

Designed to Bring the EU and Member States together to Deliver Resource Efficiency under

Europe 2020 (“A Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”)

2010 to 2011 – Setting the Framework Resource Efficient Europe Flagship Initiative

– a Pillar of the Sustainable Growth Priority of Europe 2020; and

Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Europe

September 2011 Roadmap for a

Resource Efficient Europe (1) Aimed at making Europe more efficient through

1. Sustainable Consumption and Production; 2. Turning Waste into Resources;

3. Supporting Research and Innovation;

4. Phasing out Environmentally Harmful Subsidies and including External Costs in Prices;

5. Proper Valuation of Ecosystem Services;

6. Preservation and Restoration of Biodiversity; 7. Good Water Status – Quality, Quantity and Use; 8. Good Air Quality Status;


Resource Efficient Europe (2)

Aimed at making Europe more efficient through

9. Sustainable Use of Land and Soils; 10. Good Status of Marine Waters and Sustainable Use of Marine Resources; 11. Sustainable Food Production and Management; 12. Improving Buildings; 13. Ensuring Efficient Mobility; 14. Mobilising Action on Resource Efficiency; 15. Supporting Resource Efficiency Globally; 16. Improving EU Environmental Action Benefits.


Resource Efficient Europe (3)

Roadmap sets out 18 Milestones – which illustrate what will be needed to put Europe on a Path to Resource Efficiency and Sustainable Growth

For each of the 16 individual Action Areas Targeted, the Roadmap Identifies the Necessary Activities to be taken by: The European Commission,; The Member States, and The Commission and Member States Acting together;

REFER TO COM(2011)571 Final. Implementation Underway!

European Resource Efficiency Platform

EREP Aimed at Ensuring Stakeholder Engagement

Objective: to Provide High Level Guidance on the Transition process towards a more Resource Efficient Economy to the Commission, Member States, Local and Regional Authorities, Private Actors;

Launched: 5 June 2012; Chairperson: Former Taoiseach John Bruton. Members: Commissioners, MEPs, Environment Ministers,

International Organisations, Civil Society, Academics; Structure: Plenary Meetings (twice yearly), Sherpas, WGs. Website for EREP Documents:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/resource_efficiency/re_platform/about/meetings/index_en.htm



7th Environment Action Programme (7th EAP)

Text of 7th EAP “agreed” under Irish Presidency; 7th EAP is Environmental Strand of Europe 2020; Actions within 7th EAP Include:

Establishing a more coherent Policy Framework for Sustainable Production and Consumption;

Carrying out Reviews of Existing Product And Waste Legislation so as to move towards a Circular Economy;

Implementing Waste Legislation to ensure that Landfilling is Limited to Residual Waste and Energy Recovery is Limited to Non-recyclable Waste;

Promulgating Public Information Campaigns to Raise Awareness & Stimulate Behavioural Change;

Coordinating, Sharing and Promoting Research Efforts on addressing key Environmental Knowledge Gaps;


Actions within 7th EAP Include: Phasing out Environmentally Harmful Subsidies and

Increasing the use of Market-based Instruments; Implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy; Implementing the Water Quality Blueprint; Improving Water Efficiency by setting and monitoring

Targets at River Basin Level and through using Market Mechanisms;

Improving Air Quality in accordance with legislation and Defining Strategic Targets/ Actions for the period beyond 2020;

Increasing Efforts to Achieve Soil Protection & Sustainable Land Use;

Reducing the level of Food Waste;

7th Environment Action Programme (7th EAP) Actions within 7th EAP Include:

Developing and Promoting a common understanding of the Improvement of Urban Environments by focusing on Integration of Urban Planning with Resource Efficiency Objectives;

Integrating Environmental and Climate-related Conditionalities and Incentives in Policy Initiatives;

Carrying out ex-ante Assessments of Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts of Policy Initiatives;

Improving Water Efficiency through Targets at River Basin Level and through using Market Mechanisms;

Using ex-post Evaluation Information from Implementation Experiences to Improve its Consistency and Coherence of the Environmental Acquis;


Actions within 7th EAP Include: Addressing potential trade-offs in all Policies to

Mitigate negative effects on the Environment; Engaging more Strategically with Partner Countries; Strengthening the Impact of Sources of Funding; Engaging in existing and new Multilateral

Environmental and other relevant processes in a more Consistent, Proactive and Effective way;

Assessing the environmental impact, in a global context, of EU consumption of food and non-food commodities;

Ensuring that economic and social progress is achieved within the carrying capacity of the earth.

Irish Legislation and Policy on Resource Efficiency (1)

Legislation Ireland has a very solid Legislative Base for Resource

Efficiency, including: EPA Act, 1992: Wide Range of Responsibilities assigned to

EPA for Environmentally Sound and Resource Efficient Practices;

WMA, 1996: Modernised Waste Management practice and Established a Regulatory Framework for Waste Prevention and Control of Waste;

Water Services Act, 2007: Established a Regulatory Framework for Water Conservation;

Building Regulations: Provide, inter alia, for Efficient Use of Energy and Water.

Irish Legislation and Policy on Resource Efficiency (2)

Policy The more recent Environmental Policy Statements

have Progressed beyond “End-of-Life”, Moving up the Product Cycle e.g.:

January 2012: “Green Tenders” – A Policy Statement on Green Public Procurement in Ireland;

June 2012: “Our Sustainable Future” – A Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland;

January 2012: “A Resource Opportunity” – A Policy Statement on Waste Management in Ireland.

Resource Efficiency Endeavours distributed among Environment, Energy, Enterprise and other Sectors - No

fully Integrated Resource Efficiency Plan for Ireland.

Focus on Resource Efficiency in Waste Management in Ireland (1)

Changing Our Ways (1998) – Reduce Landfill, Move up Waste Hierarchy, Modernise Waste Management System, High Standards for Facilities, Set Headline Performance Targets for 2013.

Delivering Change (2002) – Focus on Highest Tiers of Waste Hierarchy, Announced National Waste Prevention Programme, Announced Landfill and Plastic Bag Levies, Announced Market Development Group, Identified Essential Components of a Functioning Recycling System, Identified Producer Responsibility as a Cornerstone of Waste Management arrangements.

Taking Stock and Moving Forward (2004) – Set Out 21 Key Points going forward following a Policy Overview and Appraisal, as well as WMPs and their Implementation.

Focus on Resource Efficiency in Waste Management in Ireland (2)

National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste (2006) Designed to Restrict the Quantity of Biodegradable

Municipal Waste sent to Landfill in order to comply with mandatory EU Landfill Diversion Targets;

Set out Measures on Waste Prevention; Set out Measures on Re-use, Set Out Targets and Measures for Source Segregation

and Separate Collection of Dry Recyclables and Organic Waste;

Set out Targets and Measures for Pre-treatment of Residual Waste.

European Communities (Waste

Directive) Regulations 2011

Transpose EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC)

Very Significant for Waste Prevention & Resource Efficiency

Describe and Clarify the basic Concepts and Definitions of

Waste and Waste Management Principles

Impose the Waste Management Hierarchy

Provide for “Polluter Pays Principle”, “Extended Producer

Responsibility” and “Life Cycle Thinking”

Set 2020 Targets: 50% Re-use and Recycling of Certain

Waste Materials from Households and Similar, 70% Re-use,

Recycling and other Recovery of C&D waste

A Resource Opportunity: Waste

Management Policy in Ireland 2012 (1)

Notes success of NWPP – next Phase should

focus on RE, Prevention/ and Reuse, as well as

coordinated approaches with other agencies.

LAs should prioritise Waste Prevention in new

Regional Waste Management Plans and in the

implementation of measures with local

business and community groups,

All LAs, whether acting alone or in groupings,

will be expected to participate in the LAPN.



Ireland will try to secure EU-wide engagement with large-scale international producers in relation to Product Design.

All PRI schemes will Formulate, Implement and Demonstrate Significant Waste Prevention and Reuse Initiatives.

The use of Economic Instruments in a progressive manner is being considered to drive Resource Efficiency and as part of the implementation of the Waste Framework Directive.



Increased reuse of Products will be supported by

renewed NWPP;

Environmental Awareness work of LAs;

PRI Compliance Schemes; and

Enterprise Support Agencies.

The PRI National Review will examine the issue

of a Reuse Policy for EEE and other PRI sectors

A Public Sector Reuse Policy will be developed

in consultation with bodies


Management Policy in Ireland 2012 (4) Regs for Separate Household Organics Collection.

Mandatory Household Waste Collection Service Levels.

Strengthened Permitting Systems and Enforcement of Conditions relating to Segregated Collections - pricing structures to incentivise sustainable Household Behaviour

PRI Review to Examine appropriate Financial Mechanisms to Ensure Compliance

Responsibility for Promotion of Awareness of the Benefits of Recycling to be shared by PR actors, Local Authorities, Waste Collection Companies, wider Public Sector and Business Community.

New Regional Waste Management Plan Configuration (3 Plans) - Prevention the most advantageous option

Research on Resource Efficiency? (1)

STRIVE Resource Efficiency Research

ERTDI Programme 2000 – 2006

49 Research Projects in Waste and Resource

Management Theme

Hazardous Waste issues

Economic Instruments to reduce Waste

Recycling

Waste Characterisation and Material Flows

RE in Industry

Waste Prevention

Awareness Raising and Training


STRIVE RE Research • €93 million STRIVE 2007 – 2013 Programme

• Variety of Perspectives and many Projects on:

Waste Prevention and Minimisation

Waste Technologies and Impact of Processes and Facilities

Waste Recovery - Methods, Processes, Initiatives and Opportunities

Resource Management

Market, Social and Management aspects of Waste

Market & Outlet Development for Waste derived Resources

Society & Behavioural aspects of Waste Management

Management tools, Economics & the cost of Waste Management

Risk Assessment of Chemicals and Alternative Strategies for Testing


Rx3 Recycling Markets Development

Foundations for Much of Work Programme laid in Two STRIVE Research Studies on Market Development for Recyclables

and Compost;

Focus on Paper, Plastics and Compost

A range of Technical (e.g. standards for recyclates),

Communication (e.g. awareness raising, promotion) and

Economic (e.g. grant aid etc.) Initiatives

– Various Projects on composting (e.g. compost demo

trials), Studies on Plastics, Paper, Bulky Waste etc.,

Trash to Cash Competitions, Sustainable Innovation

Forum 2010, National Networking Events.

Role of Research in National Biodegradable

Waste Management Strategy

Strategy Referenced Important STRIVE Projects which Will

Inform Future Waste Management Policy

• Critical Analysis of the Potential Role of Mechanical-

Biological Treatment for Irish Waste Management

• A Nationwide Review of Pay-by-Use (PBU) - Domestic

Waste Collection Charges

Strategy also highlighted

• The Need to Develop National Compost Quality

Standards in association with Industry

Some Recommendations to Authorities on

STRIVE Study on MBT

Develop National Standards on Control/ Operation of MBT facilities (in parallel to EPA licensing and Veterinary Legislation)

EPA Project on BAT Guidance in the MBT Sector

Establish Biodegradability Standards, Landfill Acceptance Criteria and Validation Processes, National BMW Landfill Limits

EPA Technical Guidance Document on Pre-treatment

Undertake Annual Waste Characterisation Surveys to Capture Changing Composition of Residual Waste

EPA Municipal Waste Characterisation Programme

STRIVE Study on Pay-by-Use (PBU)

Findings will Inform Permitting Requirements on Waste Collectors’ Pricing Structures

PBU has generally Resulted in a Decrease in Amount of Residual Waste Presented,

PBU (Weight) Tends to be the Most Effective System for Reduction in Residual Waste Presentation,

Availability of Recycling Services is Crucial in Achieving Reductions in the Presentation of Residual Household Waste,

Monitoring Systems are Required to Safeguard against Illegal Activities Motivated by the Introduction of PBU

STRIVE Study on an Industry-led

Compost Quality Standard

Formal Publication of Study on 27 May 2009,

rx3 Sub-Committee on Organics has Developed Study

into a National Compost Quality Standard IS 441,

National Compost Quality Standard IS 441 Reinforced

through the Development of an Industry Quality

Assurance Scheme CQAS 441 under rx3.

Forthcoming STRIVE Research

Studies on Resource Efficiency

“Roadmap for a National

Resource Efficiency Plan for

Ireland”

Eagerly awaited!

Thank You………..

Brendan.O’[email protected]