The EPA report on Progress to EU Targets published in December 2017 shows that Ireland has already met or is on target to meet it’s EU Waste Framework Directive and Landfill Directive targets.
The report, which details progress made on EU Directives including Waste Framework, Packaging, End of Life Vehicles, Batteries, Landfill, Waste Electrical and Electronic equipment (WEEE) Directives, shows Ireland has met all it’s targets to date and is on target to meet all future targets, with the exception of two End of Life Vehicles Directive targets missed for January 2015.
Any case presented by Indaver to An Bord Pleanala regarding ‘need’ for the proposed incinerator on the basis of compliance with Waste Framework Directives should be struck out at this stage, as this report shows Ireland does not need further incinerator capacity in order to meet it’s EU obligations.
CHASE Chairperson Mary O’Leary said “CHASE has been saying for 17 years that we can meet our EU obligations without any Ringaskiddy Incinerator and this EPA report shows this is true. We do not want to see the construction of a white elephant in the middle of Cork Harbour that will hamper further progress towards even more ambitious targets that are in line with EU moves towards circular economies.”
The European Commission issued warnings on incinerator overcapacity in January 2017 with recommendations to phase out public money from incinerators, to introduce a moratorium on new facilities and to introduce or increase incineration taxes as part of a commitment to move efficiently towards a closed-loop, sustainable circular economy.
These warnings were echoed in the UK earlier this year as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) UK, Prof Ian Boyd warned against further investment in energy-from-waste capacity in the UK on the basis that it would harm innovation. ()
A decision on the Ringaskiddy incinerator has been due since July 2016. Bord Pleanala website currently states a decision is due on 28 February.
LINKS
EPA Progress Report: http://www.epa.ie/nationalwastestatistics/targets/
EU Commission Report 2017: http://chasecorkharbour.com/death-knell-for-incinerator-industry-as-commission-recommends-moratorium-on-new-facilities/
UK Parliament session: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/9c6b4590-5882-4464-a945-29783d4af339