Under the broad theme of the Environment EBR have secured an initial total of €2,117,000 for environmental activity under the following three themes:-

• Biodiversity
• Renewable Energy
• Research and project development studies

Biodiversity

Under this theme the EBR Biodiversity sub group have developed a 3 year project which aims to develop and successfully deliver a regional and cross border Biodiversity Framework for the East Border Region.

The Framework will engage local authorities and communities with biodiversity, raise awareness and build capacity for the protection of habitats and species and ecosystems in the region. The project will demonstrate a clear and measurable link between a strong, vibrant economy and a functioning healthy environment with biodiversity at its core.

The project will clearly demonstrate that a healthy species-rich environment is also one which supports healthy communities. Biodiversity loss is our loss, and we consider that collaboration at a regional cross-border level will be an effective way to help stop its loss.

Renewable Energy

Under this theme the EBR Renewable Energy sub group have developed a project which intends to empower the ten Local Authorities who constitute EBR to make significant reductions in their fossil fuel consumption, with corresponding reductions in carbon dioxide emissions from Council Buildings.

The project will be a catalyst for the development of the emerging renewable energies through a number of ‘best practice’ exemplar projects, which will give credibility and showcase the various technologies. It aims to establish, based on actual field testing, those technologies which are most effective when used in the climate in the North West of Europe.

The findings will be published in an easy to understand format for the benefit of citizens, SME’s and the Micro Generation Industry. Through seminars and conferences, this project will explain to the business sector how their businesses can reduce costs and become more efficient through better energy management, using the Local Authorities ‘Exemplar projects’ as local case studies, which will be made available for interested parties to visit. The project also includes direct educational benefits, through our partnership with the research centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Research and project development studies

In the course of the preparation of the Multi Annual Plan EBR Ltd. received several environmental proposals at various stages of development which appeared to have merit but which would have required considerable further development and testing if they were to be considered for inclusion. Given the importance of the environmental theme in the Plan there is a need, specifically related to the environment because of the rapid rate of change and development in the sector, to provide funding for a number of research, project development and feasibility studies for projects submitted to EBR Ltd. to enable the concepts to be properly tested and to enable detailed proposals to be developed and considered.

EBR Ltd will distribute this funding in the latter half of 2010.

Management of the each of the 3 elements outlined above will be by a dedicated sub group which will be overseen by the Environment Implementation Group (10 Environment Officers and Elected Members). The Environment Implementation Group will meet on a bi-monthly basis to oversee the implementation and progress of all 3 projects ensuring timely delivery and compliance with Conditions of the Letter of Offer.