Minutes of the Climate Action, Biodiversity, Environment SPC Meeting held on Tuesday 25^th March 2025 which had been circulated were CONSIDERED.

It was then PROPOSED by Councillor H. Redwood, seconded by Councillor J. Newman and RESOLVED –

“That the minutes of the Climate Action, Biodiversity, Environment SPC Meeting held on Tuesday 25^th March 2025 be ADOPTED.”

Minutes of the Climate Action, Biodiversity, Environment SPC Meeting held on Tuesday 24th June 2025 which had been circulated were CONSIDERED.

It was then PROPOSED by Councillor H. Redwood, seconded by Councillor J. Newman and RESOLVED –

“That the minutes of the Climate Action, Biodiversity, Environment SPC Meeting held on Tuesday 24th June 2025 be ADOPTED.”

Hans Visser, Biodiversity officer gave a presentation on the Biodiversity Implementation Plan which included an update on the priority actions on the Fingal Biodiversity Plan 2025 and on the Forest of Fingal Strategy. Councillor H. Redwood raised the issue of drones/food deliveries having a negative effect on biodiversity and requested that this committee make note of this issue.  Councillor D. Healy requested that this committee write to the Minister of Housing regarding a pilot housing scheme for biodiversity and also to address Land Acquisition at next SPC meeting. A motion was submitted by Councillor D. Healy requesting that “This SPC recommends that sufficient funding is allocated under the budget and the Capital Programme to implement the Biodiversity Action Plan”.  It was agreed that the Chair will bring this to the CPG.

The presentation was NOTED.

“That the Chief Executive report on the progress in developing the Green Public Procurement Strategy for this Council including the consideration of the “Greener by Default” approach recommended by this Committee.”

The motion, in the name of Councillor D. Healy was proposed by D. Healy and seconded by Councillor J. Newman.

Report:

The Fingal County Council Green Public Procurement Strategy 2024-2026 was agreed by the Executive Management Team in July 2024 and is available to view on www.fingal.ie.

The Fingal County Council Green Public Procurement Strategy outlines the Council’s commitment to keeping sustainability to the forefront of everything it does and adopting green procurement strategies to achieve a more sustainable future for our community and promote eco-innovation, climate action, and circular economy.  The strategy provides a clear mandate for sustainability through procurement.

Fingal County Council continues to promote sustainable food procurement and recognises that going meat free at least once a week is healthier, cheaper and will reduce agricultural emissions. https://www.fingal.ie/simple-ways-act-climate-change.

Fingal County Council Departments are asked to consider incorporating the ‘Greener by Default’ approach to procurements with a food service requirement.

Jacqueline Fowler, Administrative Officer, Finance read the report and discussion with the Members followed.

The report was Accepted.