The Progress of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Achieving the United Nations SDGs

The Progress of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council on Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fern Keeney Queen’s University Belfast March 2021

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List of Abbreviations ASSI

Area of Specific Scientific Interest

AONB

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

DAERA

Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs

DEA

District Electoral Area

DRS

Deposit Return Scheme

EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility

HRC

Household Recycling Centre

KNIB

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

LCA

Landscape Character Assessment

LBAP

Local Biodiversity Action Plan

LDP

Local Development Plan

LGD

Local Government District

LNR

Local Nature Reserve

MEABC

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council

MEA

Mid & East Antrim

NICS

Northern Ireland Civil Service

NI

Northern Ireland

NIMDM

Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure

NISRA

Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency

NNR

National Nature Reserves

PfG

Programme for Government

RDS

Regional Development Strategy

SAC

Special Areas of Conservation

SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals

SLNCI

Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance

SDS

Sustainable Development Strategy

SPA

Special Protection Area

UK

United Kingdom

UKSSD

UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development

UN

United Nations

VAWG

Violence Against Women & Girls 2

Contents 1.

Introduction

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Research Purpose

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2.

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The Sustainable Development Agenda

Millennium Development Goals

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Sustainable Development Goals

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Regional Context

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Local Context

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Localising the Global Goals

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3.

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Profile of Mid & East Borough Council

Background

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Geographical Area

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Population

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Local Challenges

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4.

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Mapping MEABC’s Progress

Research Methodology

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Data Evaluation

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5.

Findings

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6.

Discussion & Recommendations

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7.

References

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8.

Appendices

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Appendix A: Titles and Descriptions for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

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Appendix B: Survey Data: Respondents by Council Department

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Appendix C: Survey Data: Breakdown of Council Departments Delivering on the SDGs

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Appendix D: Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017: Statistics for MEA

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1. Introduction Research Purpose

The purpose of this research was to assess the ongoing work Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (MEABC) to determine its progress to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent years, MEABC has launched several policies and plans with integrated themes linked to the SDGs, prompting the need for thorough revision of the Council’s progress and the impacts of these initiatives. The concept of ‘think globally, act locally’ is important in implementing sustainable development (Kawakubo et al., 2017) and translating the global initiatives into local actions is deemed as essential (Moallemi et al., 2019). It is important that local governments obtain a comprehensive understanding of their current conditions in order to identify areas that require further actions and to achieve local sustainability. Without monitoring progress toward the SDGs, it is otherwise impossible to identify these gaps and implement appropriate and effective solutions.

Considering this, this research aims to establish an elementary picture of the Council’s progress in achieving the 17 SDGs. By providing concentrated recommendations, the research strives to refine the Council’s focus for future initiatives to address gaps and allow for tangible social, economic, and environmental impacts to be made within the local area and communities. It is important to note that this research project was conducted within an eight-week timeframe; therefore, the research that is presented in this paper is preliminary in nature and should be considered to be a scoping review of the Council’s progress toward the goals.

The remainder of the research is organised as follows: The second section provides an overview of the Sustainable Development Agenda in regional and local contexts and discusses the importance of localising the global goals. The third section presents a profile of MEABC and examines local challenges posed by achieving the SDGs. The fourth section reviews the research methodology undertaken in this research. The fifth section summarises the findings of the research. The final section concludes the research with a discussion of the overall progress of MEABC and recommendations for the Council to aid local progress to the SDGs.

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2. The Sustainable Development Agenda Millennium Development Goals

In 2001, the United Nations (UN) Secretariat published the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs, described as a road map for global sustainable development, reflected the understanding of development at the time and attempted to bring governance and coordination to the global development agenda. Although a voluntary programme, the MDG framework was perceived as both politically and morally compelling (MacFeely, 2017). The MDGs had eight goals and twenty-one targets, dealing with issues such as gender, disease, shelter and education, the primary and explicit aim was to reduce extreme poverty and hunger. The MDGs achieved some notable successes, for example, between 2000 and 2015 more than 1 billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty, and under-five child mortality was halved (UN, 2015b).

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, during the UN Sustainable Development Summit, the leaders of over 150 countries came together to formally adopt the Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015). The Sustainable Development Gaols (SDGs), built upon the MDGs, compose of 17 goals and 169 targets that are intended to provide guidance to all countries in reaching development that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable, such as ending poverty, reducing inequalities and injustice, and tackling climate change issues (UN, 2015). Through a non‐binding collective agreement, the 2030 Agenda calls on governments to translate the global SDGs into national targets and policies, to formulate a clear, long-term vision of national development (Lucas et al., 2016; Galli et al., 2018) and to set country-specific goals, targets and priorities depending on national conditions and capabilities (Weitz et al., 2015). A detailed description of each of the 17 SDGs is provided in Appendix A.

Regional Context

Northern Ireland (NI) has a long and troubled history concerning the contestation of structures of governance in the region that resulted in ‘The Troubles’ (Turner, 2006). The implementation of policies regarding sustainable development, environmental protection, and other related policy issues were ranked of less prominence than policies concerning security, policing, and criminal justice (Barry, 2009). Given this, the incorporation of the environment and sustainable development into national policymaking and structures of local governance has been an overdue process in NI. While the UN SDGs were adopted by the United Kingdom (UK) and NI in 2015, concern has grown over the years regarding the lack of integration and coordination on the implementation of sustainable development in NI (UKSSD, 2018), particularly in the temporary absence of a functioning Executive and when commitments to the Global Goals are further threatened by the uncertainty of Brexit.

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United Kingdom’s Voluntary National Review In 2019, NI contributed to the UK’s Voluntary National Review on progress towards the goals (HM Government, 2019). The report highlighted NI’s recent incorporation of the three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - into the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) strategic plans (Khussamov, 2020), with the intention for the principles of sustainable development to be embedded in the NI Executive’s highest-level strategy, the draft Programme for Government (PfG) (European Sustainable Development Network, 2020). However, the report confirmed the underwhelming progress of NI, stating that “while progress has been made in many areas, there is still much to do and challenges to overcome”. Monitoring progress to the draft PfG is done through the Outcomes Delivery Plan which consists of 12 outcomes and 49 indicators in key areas of societal and economic wellbeing (Executive Office NI, 2019). The Voluntary National Review highlights that linkages established between the Outcomes Delivery Plan and the Global Goals may “provide focus moving forward” (HM Government, 2019).

Regional Development Strategy 2035 The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035, “Building a Better Future”, was published in 2012 and aims to protect and enhance the environment for the benefit of current and future generations (MEABC, 2019). The RDS acts as the government’s spatial strategy for NI up to 2035 and seeks to influence the future distribution of development in NI with the aim of achieving sustainable development and social cohesion.

Sustainable Development Strategy The government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), “Everyone’s Involved”, was published in 2010 and aims to meet two overarching guiding principles: living within environmental limits and ensuring a strong, healthy, just and equal society. It states that these principles will be met through a sustainable economy, good governance, sound science and promoting opportunity and innovation (MEABC, 2019). The aim of the SDS is to identify and develop actions on the part of government that will steer development toward social, economic and environmental sustainability. Under section 25 of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, Government Departments and District Councils have a statutory duty to promote the achievement of sustainable development in the exercise of their functions

Local Context

MEABC’s vison for the borough is “a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community, where people work together to improve the quality of life for all” (MEABC, 2017). This section discusses existing local commitments to sustainable development and the SDGs, which are apparent in MEABC’s plans and policies:

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Putting People First Community Plan 2017-2032 MEA Community Plan (2017b), covering the period from 2017 to 2032, is an ambitious blueprint which aims to improve the wellbeing of citizens and all aspects of life in the Borough. The plan was created in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders in the borough from the public, private and voluntary sectors (MEABC, 2017b). The five key themes of this plan are as follows: Sustainable Jobs and Tourism; Learning for Life; Our Environment; Community Safety and Cohesion; and Good Health and Wellbeing. Each theme presents interrelationships between them and comprises of strategic priorities and corresponding outcomes and actions. Provided below is a description the themes and strategic priorities, and their correlation to specific SDGs: •

The Sustainable Jobs and Tourism Theme consist of five strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation; Employment and skills; Raising our tourism potential; Infrastructure; and Inclusion and wellbeing. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and indirectly aids SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

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The Learning for Life Theme consists of three strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Qualifications of the working age population; Inequalities in education; and Delivering the skills for future economic development. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 4: Quality Education and indirectly aids progress to SDG 1: No Poverty.

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The Our Environment Theme consist of three strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Assets; Attitudes; and Access. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 14: Life Below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

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The Community Safety and Cohesion Theme consist of three strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Vulnerable people; Vulnerable places; and Those most at risk of creating crime. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions.

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The Good Health and Wellbeing Theme consists of three strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Prevention and early intervention; Health and work; Healthy places and lifestyles; Responding to an ageing society; and Deprivation and health. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and indirectly aids progress toward SDG 1: No Poverty

In order to progress the implementation and delivery of these actions, 24 actions were identified as short-term which would be, where possible, delivered within two years. The remaining 31 actions were considered to be medium and long-term and would be delivered 7

within 5-15 years. The supporting Statement of Progress (MEABC, 2019b) highlights the outcomes and progress to date against key indicators. As these themes and indicators are directly and indirectly linked to specific SDGs, progress on these indicators was utilised to assess the Council’s progress toward the SDGs. Corporate Plan 2019-2023 The Corporate Plan presents five strategic themes (Sustainable Jobs and Tourism; Learning for Life; Our Environment; Community Safety and Cohesion; and Good Health and Wellbeing) and the actions that will shape MEABC’s work and the services that they provide for the 2019-2023 timeframe. This plan is shaped by the previously mentioned NI PfG and RDS documents and adopts the strategic themes that are set out in the Community Plan (2017b). The Corporate Plan Progress Report April 2020- September 2020 provides detailed performance summaries and key achievements for each of the themes, which was utilised to assess the Council’s progress toward the SDGs. Local Development Plan 2019-2032 The strategic objectives of the Local Development Plan (LDP) are linked to the key principles of sustainable development. Under the Planning (NI) Act 2011, MEABC is required to ensure that the LDP is formed with the purpose of furthering sustainable development in the region.

Subsequently, an independent Sustainability Appraisal was conducted to ensure thorough integration of social, economic and environmental considerations throughout the LDP.

Localising the Global Goals

While the universal SDGs have been adopted by national governments, action for sustainable development is required across local governments, businesses, communities, non-profit organisations, and all other stakeholders (Stafford-Smith et al., 2017; Uitto, 2019).

Consequently, the role of local governments, such as MEABC, is crucial in developing policies, building actions, and stimulating knowledge that contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. It is at the local levels where climate change, loss of biodiversity and other problems associated with the global goals manifest themselves, often with disproportionate impacts on the poorest and most vulnerable communities (Uitto, 2019). Local governments are often in the best position - between national governments and citizens - to ensure that the specific needs of their local population are understood and met, such as delivering key basic services which are essential to achieving the SDGs. As a substantial amount of implementation and monitoring occur at the local level, local governments and communities have a large responsibility in promoting sustainable development (ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, 2015).

Adopting the SDGs at the local level can be a simple process of adjusting existing policies, however, thorough implementation of sustainable development initiatives is often difficult (Reddy, 2016).

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3. Profile of Mid & East Borough Council Background

As part of the Local Government Reform in Northern Ireland (NI), MEABC was formed in April 2015 to replace the predecessor councils of Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne Borough Councils (MEABC, 2020). The intention of this structural change was to create a “thriving dynamic local government” (NI Department of the Environment, 2014) that could provide integrated public services which are more responsive to their citizens (Knox and Carmichael, 2015). The Council provides more services to citizens than ever before and, in turn, has steered notable achievements toward serval SDGs, particularly SDG 2: No Poverty and SDG 4: Good Health and Wellbeing. Additionally, the Council plays a crucial role in economic growth and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, education and SDG 4: Quality Education, community safety and SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, and safeguarding the local environment, aiding SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land (MEABC, 2019a). A detailed analysis of this progress continues in the Discussion and Recommendations section.

Geographical Area

MEABC covers an area of 1,046 km², stretching from the River Bann in the west to the Antrim Coast in the east. The Borough benefits from its location on the edge of the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area and good links to Belfast ports and Belfast International and City airports (MEABC, 2019). MEA’s Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), a component of the Local Development Plan 2030, celebrates the Borough’s impressive natural setting which includes 370 km² of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the host of environmental designated areas: two National Nature Reserves (NNRs); three Special Areas of Conservation (SACs); four RAMSAR sites; four Local Nature Reserves (LNRs); five Special Protection Areas (SPAs); 23 Sites of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCIs); and 39 Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) (MEABC, 2019b). This section provides an overview of the main features of MEA’s local environment - woodland, grassland, coastal areas, heathland and bog land - in order to highlight the need to achieve SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land, and aims to build context on which recommendations for the Council are based upon.

Woodland The Borough is considered to be a sparsely wooded county with 6,298.4 ha of woodland and less than 4% woodland cover (MEABC, 2019b), although, MEA hosts one of the oldest and largest continuous areas of intact ancient woodland in NI in the Glenarm Demesne. This is an important habitat for a number of bats, rare bird, and insect species (MEABC, 2019b). Additionally, there are a number of conifer State Forest plantations, such as the Moyle Moorlands and at Glenarm Forest Park, which have experienced notable degradation of peatlands and biodiversity loss due to the planting out of many of these areas (MEABC, 2019b).

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Grassland Grassland is the predominantly feature across the Borough. The biodiversity value associated with this type of farmland is relatively poor, and in many areas, high levels of over-grazing, repeated cutting for silage and the use of agricultural chemicals has led to depleted and reduced levels of biodiversity (MEABC, 2019b). In these settings, hedgerows provide important habitats for a variety of woodland and farmland species. The Ecos Nature Park, situated on the River Braid, is a natural floodplain and a prime example of wet grassland habitat.

Heathland and Blanket Bog The Antrim Hills and Garron Plateau are dominated by common grasses and clumps of soft rush, with small pockets of wildflowers species, including the ragged robin, lesser spearwort and the devil’s-bit scabious (MEABC, 2019b). The vast majority of lowland raised bogs found within MEA have been affected to some degree by peat extraction - it has been estimated that approximately only 14% of lowland raised bogs in County Antrim still have an intact surface.

Many areas of blanket bog found within MEA have experienced from an increased drainage and cutting for fuel, have been reclaimed for agriculture or planted out with conifers (MEABC, 2019b).

Coastal Areas The coastline of MEA consists mostly of rock platforms, boulders and cliffs that offer safe nesting sites for birds and refuge for some rare flowering plants. Several notable seabird colonies, such as razorbill, kittiwake and common guillemot, inhabit the cliff face of the eastern coastline of Islandmagee and the Gobbins is also the only mainland-nesting site for the Atlantic puffin in NI (MEABC, 2019b). The geology of the coastline from Larne to Portrush presents a range of geological features including the British Isles’ largest lava field which was formed 50-70 million years ago (MEABC, 2019b).

Population

MEABC has a population of approximately 139,000 people, representing 7.5% of the total NI population (NISRA, 2019c), and projections estimate an increase of 2.2% by 2030 to a total population of 142,114 (MEABC, 2019). The region reflects the overall NI average regarding the rural/urban population split, with approximately 60% of the population concentrated in three main towns, Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus and the remaining 40% of the population located in smaller towns, villages, settlements, and the open countryside (MEABC, 2020). Based on NISRA’s Population Totals in 2019, Ballymena local government district (LGD) has an approximate population of 67,230 (NISRA, 2019). Located on the shoreline of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus (LGD) has an approximate population of 39,340 and is the most concentrated area of settlement in the (NISRA, 2019b). Positioned on the eastern coast of the Borough, Larne has a total population of 32,704 (NISRA, 2019b). MEA spans a wide geographical area and some of rural communities are particularly isolated with regard to access to services such as welfare, 10

education, employment, transport, and health. The demographics of the MEA’s population is discussed in the following section.

Local Challenges

The MEA Community Plan (2017) identifies several challenges in the borough under the following themes: Jobs & Employment; Tourism; An Ageing Population; Rural Communities; Deprivation & Poverty. This section provides an analysis of these challenges and includes additional challenges that impinge on local progress toward the SDGs. This section provides local context on which recommendations for Council are based upon.

Jobs and Employment The Borough employs 7.4% of the total NI workforce, with advanced engineering and manufacturing (57%) and construction (15%) representing the main employment sectors (NISRA, 2018b). Local indigenous businesses, such as Wrightbus, and international organisations, including Ryobi, Schrader, Moy Park, Caterpillar Logistics and Terumo BCT, are sizeable employers in the Borough. Other key employers in the area include AES Corporation at Ballylumford, P&O Ferries and Larne Harbour Ltd. Additionally, there is a wide range of small and medium sized enterprises across the region and a strong agri-food sector (MEABC, 2017).

The Council has focused on building on the existing sectoral strengths in advanced manufacturing and agri-food in the Borough.

Tourism is an important aspect of the local economy, with attractions such as coastal paths, spa hotels and castles contributing to a total visitor spend of approximately £50.7 million in 2018 (Tourism NI, 2018) and providing 4,395 tourism jobs (MEABC, 2019b). MEA’s location on the Causeway Coastal Route and wealth of heritage assets, such as Carrickfergus Castle and Marina, the Garron Plateau, and the Gobbins, provides the foundations for a vibrant tourism industry (MEABC, 2019b). Expanding this sector further is a key priority of the Community Plan and the Council are working to ensure their significant rural tourism assets are developed and well marketed to local, national and international visitors (MEABC, 2017b).

While the development and expansion of these sectors work directly towards achieving SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth locally, the Council must give equal consideration to the adverse environmental impacts these sectors may bring.

An Ageing Population In 2019, approximately 26,526 people in MEA were aged 65 and over - 19% of the total population (NISRA, 2019b). It is projected that this figure will increase to 24.6% by 2030; the second highest level in NI. Demographic ageing of this degree can cause implications for the provision of public services and increase the demand for residential and home care services, and associated support services. To ensure that progress toward SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing 11

is not haltered, MEABC need to ensure that services and communities in the Borough can respond to these rising demands.

Deprivation and Poverty The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) is a spatial measure of local level inequalities based on multiple indicators. Indicators include, income, employment, health and disability, education, skills and training, access to services, living environment and crime and disorder. Based on the NIMDM 2010, where 1 is the most deprived and 26 is the least deprived, Ballymena was ranked in 11th place, Larne was in 13th place and Carrickfergus was in 14th place. MEA is ranked 6th out of the eleven new councils in terms of deprivation, largely due to lack of access to services which is predominant in rural communities including Glenarm, Islandmagee, Carnlough, Glenravel, Grange, Glenwherry, Dunminning and Slemish (NISRA, 2010). Based on the NIMDM 2017, three Super Output Areas (SOAs) in the Borough are ranked within the 100 most deprived in NI: Northland in Carrickfergus and Ballee and Moat in Ballymena.

Approximately 40% of MEA’s population live in small settlements and the open countryside; some of these rural communities are particularly isolated in regard to access to services such as welfare, education, employment, transport and health services. While MEABC is composed of three large and prosperous towns, many inequalities continue to exist in the Borough’s rural areas; primarily affecting health, education, and crime (MEABC, 2017a). The Community Plan (2017b) highlights the Council’s commitment to identifying and addressing the underlying causes of poverty and deprivation in the Borough. Addressing inequalities is presented as “a cross cutting theme” within the plan which is laid out in their plan to focus attentions on parts of the borough which are most deprived (MEABC, 2017). This issue is directly linked to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

Climate Change It is difficult to predict how climate change will precisely affect MEA, although, one of the most concerning and most probable impacts is the heightened risk of flooding. Coastal water, rivers, surface water and groundwater flooding all pose a threat to residents and buildings in low-lying and at-risk areas of MEA. Climate change may threaten local progress toward SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Some of the flooding challenges and possible threats of climate change in the Borough are underlined below; each hold the capability to cause negative social, economic, and environmental impacts on varying scales. It is important to note that the list of challenges and potential impacts below is not exhaustive but is focused on the most probable to negatively affect the Borough.

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Climate change will likely increase heavy rainfall (Rubinato et al., 2019) and contribute to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in the Borough. The expansion of urban 12

development in the main towns of the Borough may lead to increased rainfall runoff and create significant flood risk with even moderate rainfall in at risk areas (Rubinato et al., 2019). This situation is only expected to worsen as a changing climate triggers more extreme rainfall events, such as the succession of extreme weather events across NI in 2018: Storm Eleanor caused 25,000 premises to lose power across NI; the ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018 brought very low temperatures and snow; and Storm Emma in 2018 brought increased levels of snow and ice.

Agricultural land comprises over 75% of the total land cover in NI, consequently, land management practices have had a direct impact on flooding incidents. Soil degradation can exacerbate flood risk and certain land management practices, such as over-stocking of livestock, have been shown to have adverse impacts on downstream flood risk (ASC, 2016a).

Understanding land management practices is essential to prevent adverse flood risks in the Borough.

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As MEA comprised of around 370 km² of coastline, rising sea-levels and coastal erosion pose another danger to the Borough. The sustainability of coastal communities, such as Glenarm, Cushendall and Cushendun, are particularly vulnerable. Whilst the current impact of sealevel rise to these communities is uncertain, engagement with these communities and raising awareness about the potential risks is crucial (ASC, 2017).

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Changes in temperature represents a risk to social and economic sustainability. The Northern Ireland CCRA detects high temperatures to negatively affect human health and there is evidence of the connection between extreme temperatures and acute mortality (ASC, 2016a).

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4. Mapping MEABC’s Progress Research Methodology

To assess MEABC’s progress on the SDGs, primary data collection was conducted in two stages.

The first stage employed an online survey to collate information regarding the Council’s service areas, strategies, policies, plans, programmes, project-specific work, and activities that are delivering on the SDGs. The survey composed of 17 separate sections for each of the 17 goals and included official titles and descriptions for each of the goals (See Appendix A), and the following questions: 1. Within your work area, are there any strategies, programmes, plans, or projects that contribute to this goal? (Yes, No, Unsure) 2. Please list the titles of any relevant strategies, programmes, plans, or projects: 3. Please provide a brief description of the listed strategies, programmes, plans or projects: The survey was distributed to 30 key staff members across all 13 service areas: Community Planning & Development; Economic Development; Tourism, Arts & Culture; Corporate Services; Finance; Planning & Building Control; Communications; Digital Innovation & Procurement; Waste Operations and Building Services; Human Resources & Organisational Development; Public Protection, Health & Wellbeing; and Capital Works. Appendix B offers a breakdown of survey respondents by department. Sampling for the survey was selected by MEABC to ensure that the appropriate staff participated in the research project. Snowball sampling was utilised later in the process, whereby an initial staff member would refer to a co-worker who may obtain more information that was relevant to the research. In adopting this method of sampling, it helped to overcome the potential barrier of excluding any significant data. Thirty responses were recorded in the survey; see Appendix B and Appendix C for survey results.

The second stage of data collection included one-to-one, semi-structured interviews with representatives from each of the Council’s departments. The interviews followed a flexible guide of predetermined themes based upon the participants responses submitted in the survey.

Predetermined prompts were utilised, when necessary. Both methodologies were taken in order to ensure methodological rigour and to prevent any relevant data going unaccounted for.

Informed consent was attained by MEABC from staff members prior to their participation in the research project. Written interview procedures were provided and clearly explained to participants, and a detailed interview guide with a list of key topics was provided to participants prior to the interview process. To elicit appropriate and thorough responses from the participants, it was ensured that participants obtained comprehensive understanding as to why they have been asked to partake in the research project; information about the purpose of the interview and the objectives of the research project; and provision of an estimate of the probable length of the interview.

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Data Evaluation

The process of data evaluation involved mapping the Council’s policies, strategies, plans, programmes, projects, and activities, and the intended impacts of these actions, directly on to the revised UN Global Indicator framework for the 17 goals, 169 targets and 232 indicators. This process is further discussed in the following section.

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5. Findings The table below details the MEABC programmes, projects, policies, strategies and plans that are delivering on to the SDGs, specific targets, and indicators. A brief description of each action is provided and available data on MEA from the NIMDM 2017 is provided, where appropriate. N/A is specificized where a target/indicator is not applicable to the research project: whereby a target or indicator refers to national or international actions that supersedes the capability of the Council. No available data is specificized where a target/indicator has no known data, thereby, there is no MEABC programme, project, policy, strategy, or plan delivering on a target/indicator and there is no secondary data available.

UN Goals and Targets Goal 1. No Poverty End poverty in all its forms everywhere 1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day

Indicators

MEABC Programmes, Projects, Policies, Strategies & Plans

Community Plan: The strategic themes of the Plan (Sustainable Jobs and Tourism, Good Health and Wellbeing, Learning for Life, Community Safety and Cohesion, Our Environment), and their associated actions.

Corporate Plan: The Strategic themes of the Plan and the associated objectives and indicators.

Performance Improvement Plan: Document aligns the key priorities within the Community Plan and Corporate Plan and outlines the specific areas the Council plans to focus on for the year ahead.

1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half 1.2.1 Proportion of population living Community Plan: (See 1.1.1), Good Health and the proportion of men, women and below the national poverty line, by Wellbeing Theme: Poverty Action Group utilises children of all ages living in poverty in sex and age a multi-agency approach to understanding the all its dimensions according to causes and impacts of poverty in the Borough national definitions with the aim of improving the lives of citizens.

1.2.2 Proportion of men, women Community Plan: (See 1.1.1 and 1.1.2). and children of all ages living in Enforcement Action: Enforcement in regard to poverty in all its dimensions fly tipping wastes and unkept/dangerous sites. according to national definitions Council are working in partnership with DAERA, Air Quality NI, PSNI and Housing Executive, to produce management plans for 'hotspot' areas and identify persons in vulnerable situations to ensure they are afforded to correct help.

Community Fridge Programme: Provision of three community fridges in deprived areas 1.1.1 Proportion of population below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status and geographical location (urban/rural)

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1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

which aim to reduce food waste and facilitate community food sharing, delivered in partnership with local communities and foodbanks.

Support for Radius Social Housing: Support in the planning process of a proposed development which would create social housing neighbouring the Council's development at St Patricks Barracks.

See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Health and Disability statistics.

N/A.

1.3.1 Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable 1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and 1.4.1 Proportion of population living Community Plan: (See 1.1.1). women, in particular the poor and in households with access to basic 'Here To Help' Smartphone Application: App the vulnerable, have equal rights to services which provides information on all of council's economic resources, as well as access services and relevant support organisations. to basic services, ownership and Door Knocking Scheme: Door knocking in rural control over land and other forms of areas to inform hard-to-reach citizens about property, inheritance, natural Council services they can avail of during the resources, appropriate new COVID-19 pandemic. technology and financial services, Community Health & Wellbeing Team: An including microfinance integrated energy efficiency and home safety service, available to local households and community based-groups, providing support and assistance to make homes safer, more energy efficient and affordable to heat. Partnership with Department for Communities and NIHE to deliver the Affordable Warmth Scheme which provides upgrades to properties, including installation of wall/roof insulation, installation of new heating and double glazing. Assistance to access support grants from other providers such as the NISEP Scheme and Boiler Replacement Scheme.

Sew Energy Efficient Programme: A programme that offers local community-based groups the opportunity to borrow sewing machines and other associated equipment to make draught

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excluders.

Slow Energy Efficient Programme: A programme targeted at local based groups, those living alone, young carers, low-income individuals, which provides practical sessions on the use of slow cookers as an energy efficient, budget friendly means of making nutritious meals.

Heater Lending Scheme Programme: Support for households that have an ineffective heating system or no heating system. Households can borrow a number of energy efficient free standing electric heaters until their heating system can be installed or repaired/replaced.

Energy Detectives Programme: A schools-based programme where pupils become energy detectives and investigate the highest energy users in their home with the use of an energy monitor.

Roll Out of Fibre Network (FFNI) Program: Roll out of fibre broadband to most Council facilities which allows Wi-Fi to be made available to the public, which is of benefit to small businesses/industries through upgrade to the local telecoms infrastructure.

N/A.

1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters

1.4.2 Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, with legally recognized documentation and who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and by type of tenure 1.5.1 Number of deaths, missing Climate Action Working Group: A group of persons and persons affected by Council Chancellors, Electives and Officers which a disaster per 100,000 people investigate actions that the Council could take to help mitigate the climate crisis.

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: Provision of support for four local groups seeking to build community resilience in areas that have experienced severe weather events in the past. There are future plans to develop this work through raising awareness and building resilience across the Borough. Working in partnership with DfI Rivers, DfI Roads, Met Office, NI Water and multi-agency groups to support this work locally.

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1.5.2 Direct disaster economic loss in relation to global gross domestic product (GDP)a 1.5.3 Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategiesa

SEFA Scheme: Support grant of £1k for people who have been experienced flood damage.

Community Adaptation and Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

MEA Emergency Plans: The Council have emergency plans in place for the following events: Severe Weather; Flooding; Other Emergencies, which includes fires, chemical incidents, biological and nuclear incidents, public health emergencies, etc.

Community Plan: (See 1.1.1).

1.a Ensure significant mobilization of 1.a.1 Proportion of resources resources from a variety of sources, allocated by the government including through enhanced directly to poverty reduction development cooperation, in order to programmes provide adequate and predictable 1.a.2 Proportion of total Community Plan: (See 1.1.1). means for developing countries, in government spending on essential particular least developed countries, services (education, health and to implement programmes and social protection) policies to end poverty in all its dimensions 1.b Create sound policy frameworks 1.b.1 Proportion of government Community Plan: (See 1.1.1). at the national, regional and recurrent and capital spending to international levels, based on prosectors that disproportionately poor and gender-sensitive benefit women, the poor and development strategies, to support vulnerable groups accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions Goal 2. Zero Hunger End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure 2.1.1 Prevalence of Community Plan: (See 1.1.1), Good Health and access by all people, in particular the undernourishment Wellbeing Theme: Healthy Eating and Activity poor and people in vulnerable Strategy Action Plan and Community Growing situations, including infants, to safe, Strategy. nutritious and sufficient food all year Community Gardens & Allotments: Support and round provision for community gardens on Council owned land.

Schools Growing Clubs: A 6-week programme based in schools which involves building a community garden and educating pupils about planting and growing edible crops.

Batch Cooking Resource: A lending resource for local community groups to come together to batch cook meals.

Grow Your Own Programmes & Educational

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2.1.2 Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) 2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons 2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of smallscale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

2.2.1 Prevalence of stunting (height for age <-2 standard deviation from the median of the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards) among children under 5 years of age 2.2.2 Prevalence of malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, by type (wasting & overweight) 2.3.1 Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Workshops: Educating citizens on how to grow edible foods at home and provision of workshops on how to cook fresh seasonal produce.

Foraging Walks: Free of charge educational walks which educate citizens in regard to alternative food sources and edible foods which grow in the wild.

Slow Energy Efficient programme: (See 1.4.1).

Community Fridge Programme: (See 1.2.2).

Food Recycling Campaigns: Several ongoing campaigns, such as Love Food, Hate Waste campaign, are promoted through the Council's Waste Operations department.

Community Fridge Programme: (See 1.2.2).

No available data.

No available data.

MEA Agri-food Study & Action Plan 2020: Plan consists of four key areas to be supported going forward: Agri-food Skill Development, Agri-food Network, Agri-food Entrepreneur Development, and Agri-food Demonstrator Programme.

Agri-food Demonstrator Programme (2021): As part of the Agri-food Study and Action Plan, this programme aims to provide financial support for deployment of a process, technology, or scientific approach to demonstrate something of value to potential customers.

2.3.2 Average income of small-scale North Channel Partnership Action Plan: Food food producers, by sex and and Drink Theme consists of promoting tourism indigenous status to generate opportunities for the Agri-food and Hospitality Sectors in the borough.

Business Growth Team: The team delivers mentoring for companies in the Borough across a range of subject areas, some of these companies would be agri-food producers and hospitality.

Agri-food Study & Action Plan 2020: (See 2.3.1)

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Agri-food Demonstrator Programme (2021): (See 2.4.1).

2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems & implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality 2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed 2.a Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries 2.b Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round

2.4.1 Proportion of agricultural area No available data. under productive and sustainable agriculture

2.5.1 Number of plant and animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium or long-term conservation facilities

No available data.

2.5.2 Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk, not-atrisk or at unknown level of risk of extinction

No available data.

2.a.1 The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures 2.a.2 Total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) to the agriculture sector

N/A. MEA Agri-food Study & Action Plan 2020: (See 2.3.2).

Agri-food Demonstrator Programme (2021): (See 2.3.2).

Business Growth Team: (See 2.3.2).

North Channel Partnership Action Plan: (See 2.4.1).

2.b.1 Producer Support Estimate

N/A.

2.b.2 Agricultural export subsidies

N/A.

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2.c Adopt measures to ensure the 2.c.1 Indicator of food price proper functioning of food anomalies commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility Goal 3. Good Health and Wellbeing Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3.1 By 2030, reduce the global 3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio maternal mortality ratio to less than 3.1.2 Proportion of births attended 70 per 100,000 live births by skilled health personnel 3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate of newborns & children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and 3.2.2 Neonatal mortality rate under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births 3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of 3.3.1 Number of new HIV infections AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and per 1,000 uninfected population, by neglected tropical diseases and sex, age and key populations combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and wellbeing

3.3.2 Tuberculosis incidence per 1,000 population 3.3.3 Malaria incidence per 1,000 population 3.3.4 Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 population 3.3.5 Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseases 3.4.1 Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease

N/A.

N/A. N/A. No available data.

No available data.

Waste Management Strategy NI: In accordance with the Waste & Contaminated Land NI 1998 Order, provision of waste collection services is available for all households in the Borough.

Council have continued household waste collection and HRC throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing citizens to safely dispose of household waste and reduce the spread of the disease.

N/A. N/A. N/A. N/A. Cycle Routes Masterplan: Development of traffic-free cycle routes for sustainable transport and recreation.

Calorie Wise Project: A project delivered in conjunction with Food Standards Agency in NI which encourages food businesses to display

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3.4.2 Suicide mortality rate

calories on menus and to provide healthier options to help consumers make healthier meal choices when eating out.

Outdoor Recreation Strategy & 10-Year Action Plan: A document that provides a comprehensive picture of the status of current outdoor recreation sector and opportunities for future development in the Borough.

Access to Our Coasts & Rivers Policy: Encouraging healthy lifestyles and ensuring safe access to the coasts and rivers in the Borough.

Seasonal Activities Programme: A programme of water-based events for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Capital Projects: Development of a new leisure centre at St Patricks Barracks.

Community Plan: (See 1.1.1).

Play Strategy: Investment in play opportunities for children of all abilities.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Action Plan: Mental Health Champions in place across Council, formal sign up to Equality Commission NI Mental Health Charter, promotion of Inspire counselling services for staff and promotion of resources or support on staff intranet website.

Corporate Health & Safety Policy: Provision of mental health support services for council's staff, such as the Health and Wellbeing Forum, iHASCO Training, Care, Appreciation, Knowledge, Encouragement (C.A.K.E) Project and the Occupational Health Plan.

PHA Protect Life Strategy: Promotion of the PHA Take 5 campaign and the Protect Life Strategy promoting mental resilience.

Safe Colleague Programme: Developing a network of trained Trust Colleagues across Council's departments.

Good Relations Grants Support Scheme: Financial support for projects which contribute to an outcome of increased sense of community belonging.

Grant Support Scheme: Financial support through various grants categories for organisers of events, community groups, sports clubs, arts

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3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

3.6 By 2020, halve the number of global deaths & injuries from road traffic accidents 3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes

3.5.1 Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders

3.5.2 Harmful use of alcohol, defined according to the national context as alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcohol 3.6.1 Death rate due to road traffic injuries

groups, which are undertaking projects that are of benefit to all of the citizens of the Borough.

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): Plan that aims to improve community safety by tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, reduce the personal vulnerability, adopt a multi-agency approach to the identification of and engagement with those most at risk of creating crime, and improve community confidence in the police. Strategic Priority 2.1 addresses domestic abuse and sexual crime involves the Domestic Abuse Support Programme and ongoing projects across multiple strands of domestic abuse and sexual crime. Strategic Priority 2.5 addresses drugs and alcohol issues through the Drug and Alcohol Support Programme, Awareness Raising Campaign and ongoing projects dealing with substance abuse.

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

No available data.

See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Living Environment statistics.

No available data.

3.7.1 Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods 3.7.2 Adolescent birth rate (aged No available data.

10-14 years; aged 15-19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group 3.8 Achieve universal health 3.8.1 Coverage of essential health N/A. coverage, including financial risk services (defined as the average protection, access to quality essential coverage of essential services based health-care services and access to on tracer interventions that include safe, effective, quality and affordable reproductive, maternal, newborn essential medicines and vaccines for and child health, infectious all diseases, non-communicable diseases and service capacity and

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access, among the general and the most disadvantaged population) 3.8.2 Number of people covered by N/A. health insurance or a public health system per 1,000 population 3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the 3.9.1 Mortality rate attributed to Air Quality Management: Local air quality is number of deaths and illnesses from household and ambient air pollution monitored, assessed, and addressed via action hazardous chemicals and air, water plans. Management ensures that air quality is and soil pollution and contamination appropriately assessed and addressed for all new developments in the Borough.

3.9.2 Mortality rate attributed to Contaminated Land Regime: Through planning unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and consultations, areas of land are identified that lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe are contaminated with hazardous chemicals.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for The regime ensures that the appropriate All (WASH) services) remediation of the land is performed in order to minimise the risk to future site users, prior to reuse of the land.

Pollution Prevention & Control Regime: Harmful emissions to the atmosphere from industries is controlled and minimised.

Waste Management Strategy NI: (See 3.3.1).

3.9.3 Mortality rate attributed to No available data. unintentional poisoning 3.a Strengthen the implementation of 3.a.1 Age-standardized prevalence No available data. the World Health Organization of current tobacco use among Framework Convention on Tobacco persons aged 15 years and older Control in all countries, as appropriate 3.b Support the research and 3.b.1 Proportion of the population N/A. development of vaccines and with access to affordable medicines medicines for the communicable and and vaccines on a sustainable basis non-communicable diseases that 3.b.2 Total net official development N/A. primarily affect developing countries, assistance to medical research and provide access to affordable essential basic health sectors medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

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3.c Substantially increase health 3.c.1 Health worker density and N/A. financing and the recruitment, distribution development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States 3.d Strengthen the capacity of all 3.d.1 International Health N/A. countries, in particular developing Regulations (IHR) capacity and (Health & Social Care public health emergency countries, for early warning, risk health emergency preparedness plans) reduction and management of national and global health risks Goal 4. Quality Education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and 4.1.1 Proportion of children and Community Plan: (See 1.1.1), Learning for Life boys complete free, equitable and young people: (a) in grades 2/3; (b) Theme objectives. quality primary and secondary at the end of primary; and (c) at the See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Education, education leading to relevant and end of lower secondary achieving at Skills, Training statistics. effective learning outcomes least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex 4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and 4.2.1 Proportion of children under 5 See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Education, Skills, Training statistics. boys have access to quality early years of age who are childhood development, care and pre- developmentally on track in health, primary education so that they are learning and psychosocial wellready for primary education being, by sex 4.2.2 Participation rate in organized No available data. learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for 4.3.1 Participation rate of youth Support for Student Placements: Council all women and men to affordable and and adults in formal and nonfacilitate student placements within the Parks quality technical, vocational and formal education and training in the department and the Waste Operations tertiary education, including previous 12 months, by sex department. university Science Summer School & associated outreach programmes: Programmes delivered for school pupils in the Borough aimed to inspire young people regarding the exciting opportunities available in science, engineering and manufacturing industries.

SENTINUS STEM Schools Projects: Council offer SENTIUS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) school projects to schools in the Borough.

Further and Higher Education Scheme: Annual

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training via the Personal Development Planning process to encourage employees to develop their own skills and knowledge, ensure employees have the skills and knowledge they require in their current role and assist employees to prepare for future career opportunities.

See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Education, Skills, Training statistics.

4.4 By 2030, substantially increase 4.4.1 Proportion of youth and adults Apprenticeship Week: Week of apprenticeship the number of youth and adults who with information and activities delivered in schools across the have relevant skills, including communications technology (ICT) Borough. technical and vocational skills, for skills, by type of skill Pre-employment Academies: Workshops for employment, decent jobs and citizens related to employment areas such as entrepreneurship Health and Social Care, Hospitality and Catering, Childminding, Welding. iHASCO training: Remote learning opportunities delivered through an external provider for health and safety training for staff.

Personal Development Programme (PDP): Provision of annual training available for all Council staff.

Science Summer School & associated outreach programmes: (See 4.3.1).

SENTINUS STEM Schools Projects: (See 4.3.1).

4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender 4.5.1 Parity indices (female/male, Gold Award from Access Employment Limited disparities in education and ensure rural/urban, bottom/top wealth Inclusive Employer Charter Awards 2019: equal access to all levels of education quintile, and others such as Awarded in recognition of Council’s Street and vocational training for the disability status, indigenous peoples Cleansing section providing employment for an vulnerable, including persons with and conflict-affected, as data AEL trainee with additional needs for over a year disabilities, indigenous peoples and become available) for all education and support for a teenager with additional children in vulnerable situations indicators on this list that can be needs as a part time volunteer at Larne South disaggregated Household Recycling Centre (HRC).

4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth 4.6.1 Percentage of population in a No available data. and a substantial proportion of given age group achieving at least a See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Education, adults, both men and women, fixed level of proficiency in Skills, Training statistics. achieve literacy and numeracy functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills, by sex 4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners 4.7.1 Extent to which (i) global Blue Flag Programmes: Programmes delivered acquire the knowledge and skills citizenship education and (ii) by a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, needed to promote sustainable education for sustainable Foundation for Environmental Education, that development, including, among development, including gender promotes sustainable development in others, through education for equality and human rights, are freshwater and marine areas through sustainable development and mainstreamed at all levels in: (a) challenging local authorities to achieve high sustainable lifestyles, human rights, national education policies, (b) standards in water quality, environmental

27

gender equality, promotion of a curricula, (c) teacher education and culture of peace and non-violence, (d) student assessment global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

4.a Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

4.b By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries,

management, environmental education, and safety. Partnership across Council departments and with The Ulster Wildlife Trust, RNLI and DAERA to deliver educational programmes focused on marine wildlife, biodiversity, and educating boat owners of the Blue Flag Environmental Code of Conduct.

Grow Your Own Programmes & Workshops: (See 2.1.1).

Schools Growing Clubs: (See 2.1.1).

Biodiversity University: Annual 3-week programme for families involving daily activities that promote biodiversity in the borough.

Forest School Programme: Delivered in partnership with the Forest School Association to train teachers to be a forest schools teachers.

A 6-week programme that involves weekly outdoor activities for school pupils.

Educational Tours in Waste Operations: Tours provided to the public through the Waste Operations department with the aim of increasing awareness about recycling.

Eco Schools Programme: Administered by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB) and delivered in partnership with the Council, and covers biodiversity, climate action, energy, global perspective, healthy living, litter, marine, outdoor learning, transport, waste and water.

This programme engages nursery, primary and post-primary ages groups.

N/A.

4.a.1 Proportion of schools with access to: (a) electricity; (b) the Internet for pedagogical purposes; (c) computers for pedagogical purposes; (d) adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities; (e) basic drinking water; (f) single-sex basic sanitation facilities; and (g) basic handwashing facilities (as per the WASH indicator definitions) 4.b.1 Volume of official N/A. development assistance flows for scholarships by sector and type of study

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small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries 4.c By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States

4.c.1 Proportion of teachers in: (a) pre-primary; (b) primary; (c) lower secondary; & (d) upper secondary education who have received at least the minimum organized teacher training (e.g. pedagogical training) pre-service or in-service required for teaching at the relevant level in a given country

Goal 5. Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 5.1 End all forms of discrimination 5.1.1 Whether or not legal against all women and girls frameworks are in place to everywhere promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex

5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

5.2.1 Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age

N/A.

Workplace Policy on Domestic Violence and Abuse: Provision of support for employees who are affected by domestic violence and abuse through addressing problems sympathetically and in confidence, maximising the safety of Council employees in the workplace, signposting employees to external support agencies who can carry on support beyond the workplace, dealing effectively with perpetrators of domestic violence among the workforce, challenging behaviours and attitudes through our awareness raising campaigns.

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Equality Screening: (5.c.1).

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

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5.2.2 Proportion of women and girls Workplace Policy on Domestic Violence and aged 15 years and older subjected Abuse: (See 5.1.1.). to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence 5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation

5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies & the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate 5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decisionmaking in political, economic and public life 5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences 5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural

5.3.1 Proportion of women aged 20- No available data.

24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18 5.3.2 Proportion of girls and women No available data. aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age 5.4.1 Proportion of time spent on No available data. unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location

5.5.1 Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments 5.5.2 Proportion of women in managerial positions 5.6.1 Proportion of women aged 1549 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care 5.6.2 Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee women aged 15-49 years access to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education 5.a.1 (a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

No available data.

N/A.

N/A.

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resources, in accordance with national laws

5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women 5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

5.a.2 Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control 5.b.1 Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex

N/A.

5.c.1 Proportion of countries with systems to track and make public allocations for gender equality and women’s empowerment

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Equality Screening: Screening involves the completion of an Equality Impact Assessment of Council's policies and projects.

MEA Enterprising Women's Network: A forum for female entrepreneurs in the Borough.

Science Summer School & associated outreach programmes: (See 4.3.1).

SENTINUS STEM Schools Projects: (See 4.3.1).

Goal 6. Clean Water and Sanitation Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and 6.1.1 Proportion of population using Health & Safety Plans: (See 6.3.1). equitable access to safe and safely managed drinking water affordable drinking water for all services 6.2 By 2030, achieve access to 6.2.1 Proportion of population using No available data. adequate & equitable sanitation & safely managed sanitation services, hygiene for all and end open including a hand-washing facility defecation, paying special attention with soap and water to the needs of women and girls & those in vulnerable situations 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by 6.3.1 Proportion of wastewater Enforcement Action: (See 1.2.2) reducing pollution, eliminating safely treated Health & Safety Plans: Plans in place to prevent dumping and minimizing release of pollution due to council activity, such as hazardous chemicals and materials, appropriate chemical management training, halving the proportion of untreated suitable storage for chemical containers, spill wastewater and substantially emergency response and inspections/audits. increasing recycling and safe reuse Wastewater Reduction Strategy: Continuous globally review of water usage data for identification of abnormal consumption across council sites and provision of early intervention to avoid future waste.

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: Provision of recycling services for all in in the Borough and recycling facilities in public spaces, parks and open spaces.

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Health & Safety Plans: (See 6.3.1).

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: (See 6.3.1) 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase 6.4.1 Change in water-use efficiency Wastewater Reduction Strategy: (See 6.3.1). water-use efficiency across all sectors over time & ensure sustainable withdrawals & 6.4.2 Level of water stress: N/A. supply of freshwater to address freshwater withdrawal as a water scarcity & substantially reduce proportion of available freshwater the number of people suffering from resources water scarcity 6.5 By 2030, implement integrated 6.5.1 Degree of integrated water Waste Management Strategy NI: (See 3.3.1). water resources management at all resources management Wastewater Reduction Strategy: (See 6.3.1). levels, including through implementation (0-100) transboundary cooperation as 6.5.2 Proportion of transboundary N/A. appropriate basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation 6.6 By 2020, protect and restore 6.6.1 Change in the extent of water- Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan water-related ecosystems, including related ecosystems over time Strategy: Countryside Strategy, Policy CS8 mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, Protection of River Corridors aims to protect, aquifers & lakes conserve, and enhance river corridors as significant environmental assets, in ways which bring benefits to local communities.

Application to the Forest Service Small Woodland Grant Scheme: Scheme is deliver within the ‘Forests for Our Future’ programme and aims to encourage landowners to plant their own native woodlands. Successful applicants to the Small Woodland Grant Scheme will receive a standard establishment grant to cover the cost of planting their woodland and will also be eligible for an annual premium for a period of 10 years when planting on agricultural land.

Blue Flag Programme: (See 4.7.1).

Classified Ramsar Sites, SPAs (Special Protection Areas), SACs (Special Areas of Conservation), ASSI (Area of Specific Scientific Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), NR (Nature Reserves): Working in partnership with DAERA to protect the ecosystems in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus through ongoing monitoring and educating landowners and users on designated areas of protected sites.

Port Marine Safe Code (PMSC): Council comply with statutory requirements for good practice and environmental duty regarding nature and 6.3.2 Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

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6.a By 2030, expand international cooperation & capacity-building support to developing countries in water- & sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling & reuse technologies 6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

6.a.1 Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

6.b.1 Proportion of local administrative units with established & operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water & sanitation management

Goal 7. Affordable and Clean Energy Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access 7.1.1 Proportion of population with to affordable, reliable and modern access to electricity energy services 7.1.2 Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology

conservation in the Borough’s marinas and harbours.

Seaside Award Scheme: (See 14.1.1).

TYHA 5 Gold Anchor Programme: An independently assessed programme which stipulates a minimum standard the marinas in the Borough must meet to achieve Gold Anchor Status.

Installation of Sea Bins: Installation of sea bins in an effort to reduce marine waste in the Borough's harbours and marinas.

Clean-Up Campaigns: Litter picking of coasts and rivers as part of "The Great British Clean-up" and UK Beach Week.

Waste Management Strategy NI: (See 3.3.1).

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards: Environmental standards achieved in the Borough's harbours and marinas.

N/A.

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: (See 6.3.1).

Blue Flag Programme: (See 4.7.1).

TYHA 5 Gold Anchor Programme: (See 6.6.1).

Installation of Sea Bins: (See 6.6.1).

Clean-Up Campaigns: (See 6.6.1).

Community Health & Wellbeing Team: (See 1.4.1).

Slow Energy Efficient programme: (See 1.4.1).

Capital projects: Proposed St Patricks Barracks redevelopment seeks to drive sustainable energy innovation across the Borough through the i4C Innovation Centre, a potential manufacturing hub for hydrogen and modern sustainable technologies, and a Hydrogen Training Academy.

33

7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

7.2.1 Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

No available data.

7.3.1 Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP

LED Lighting Projects: Installation of LED lighting in parks and open spaces in the Borough.

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards: Environmental standards adopted across many of Council's buildings and facilities.

Slow Energy Efficient programme: (See 1.4.1).

Energy Detectives programme: (See 1.4.1).

Draft Energy Policy: A draft policy that highlights the Council’s commitment to energy efficiency and investment in renewable technologies. The policy includes a responsibility structure for energy consumption and accountability across Council's departments.

Upgrade and replacement of small tools and maintenance equipment to battery power and electric models.

N/A.

7.a By 2030, enhance international 7.a.1 Mobilized amount of United cooperation to facilitate access to States dollars per year starting in clean energy research & technology, 2020 accountable towards the including renewable energy, energy $100 billion commitment efficiency & advanced & cleaner fossil-fuel technology, & promote investment in energy infrastructure & clean energy technology 7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure & 7.b.1 Investments in energy N/A. upgrade technology for supplying efficiency as a percentage of GDP modern & sustainable energy services and the amount of foreign direct for all in developing countries, in investment in financial transfer for particular least developed countries, infrastructure and technology to small island developing States & sustainable development services landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support Goal 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 8.1 Sustain per capita economic 8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real Capital projects: Proposed St Patricks Barracks growth in accordance with national GDP per capita redevelopment, (See 7.1.2). circumstances and, in particular, at Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan least 7 per cent gross domestic Strategy: Economic Development Strategy, product growth per annum in the Policy SGS6 Strategic Allocation of Land for least developed countries Economic Development - a guide for decisions on planning applications in the Borough until

34

8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labourintensive sectors

8.2.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person

8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.3.1 Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex

2030 which aims to provide sufficient land to meet anticipated needs for housing, employment, services, adequate infrastructure, with a principal focus on economic development growth within, Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne.

Capital projects: Proposed St Patricks Barracks redevelopment, (See 7.1.2), and the Carrickfergus Regeneration Project.

MEA Agri-food Study & Action Plan 2020: (See 2.3.2).

Agri-food Demonstrator Programme (2021): (See 2.3.2).

See Appendix D for NIMDM 2017: Income and Employment statistics.

Go For It Programme: A support programme for NI business start-ups.

Kickstart Programme: Provision of specialist mentoring and workshops to support businesses in the start-up phase of trading.

Business Escalator Programme: Provision of specialist mentoring to support businesses growth aspirations, improve productivity and ultimately create jobs in the Borough.

Start-Up in Retail Programme: Providing citizens with the skills to get started in retail and the opportunity to sell their products through online workshops.

Circular Economy Social Enterprise Programme: Provision of support for those seeking to set up a new social enterprise using waste materials to create innovative products or services.

European Social Fund Programmes: Delivering employability programmes for residents of all abilities in the area: Verve, Stride, Job Match, Exploring Enterprise.

Pre-employment Academies: (See 4.4.1).

Redundancy Response: Council responds to mass redundancy through job fairs, redundancy clinics, jobs sheets, etc.

Storify My Business Programme: A pilot programme currently benefiting ten businesses through producing PR content and video content for social media accounts. Programme is to be extended to 30 businesses.

35

8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

8.4.1 Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

Draft Energy Policy: (See 7.3.1).

Energy Efficiency Measures: (See 12.2.1).

8.4.2 Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

Community Health and Wellbeing Team: (See 1.4.1).

Slow Energy Efficient programme: (See 1.4.1).

Energy Detectives programme: (See 1.4.1).

8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities

Why Work for MEA Promotion: Promotion which highlights the Council as a leading employer in the borough which facilitates excellent working conditions, equal opportunities for all and employment incentives, such as health care cover and bike scheme to work.

Job Evaluation Scheme: All Council positions are evaluated independently to determine the fair rate of pay.

NISRA Labour Force Survey Annual Report: In 2017, 71% of the Borough’s working age population in employment compared to the NI average of 69%.

Disability Action Plan: Plan outlines the council's commitment to provide equal opportunities regarding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Equality Scheme: The Scheme and affiliated Action Plan outlines the Council's commitment to provide equal opportunities regarding employment opportunities for all.

Support for Student Placements: (See 4.3.1).

Science Summer School & Associated Outreach Programmes: (See 4.3.1) Apprenticeship Week: (See 4.4.1) Pre-employment Academies: (See 4.4.1) N/A.

8.5.2 Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

8.6.1 Proportion of youth (aged 1524 years) not in education, employment or training

8.7 Take immediate and effective 8.7.1 Proportion and number of measures to eradicate forced labour, children aged 5-17 years engaged in end modern slavery and human child labour, by sex and age trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms

36

8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment

8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

8.8.1 Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex and migrant status 8.8.2 Increase in national compliance of labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status 8.9.1 Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate

8.9.2 Number of jobs in tourism industries as a proportion of total jobs and growth rate of jobs, by sex 8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

8.10.1 Number of commercial bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults 8.10.2 Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider 8.a Increase Aid for Trade support for 8.a.1 Aid for Trade commitments developing countries, in particular and disbursements least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries 8.b By 2020, develop and 8.b.1 Total government spending in operationalize a global strategy for social protection and employment youth employment and implement programmes as a proportion of the the Global Jobs Pact of the national budgets and GDP International Labour Organization

Health & Safety Plans: (See 6.3.1).

N/A.

Tourism Marketing Strategy: A strategy which aims to promote tourism as an economic driver in the Borough and create jobs in rural locations, such as the development of access to the Gobbins Cliff Path.

Community Plan: (See 1.1.1), Sustainable Jobs and Tourism Theme.

Corporate Plan 2019-2023: (See 1.1.1).

Tourism Marketing Strategy: (See 8.9.1).

Community Plan: (See 1.1.1), Sustainable Jobs and Tourism Theme and associated actions.

Corporate Plan: (See 1.1.1).

No available data.

No available data.

N/A.

N/A.

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Goal 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and trans-border infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all 9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment & gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries 9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, & their integration into value chains & markets 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resourceuse efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

9.1.1 Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road

Capital projects: Proposed St Patricks Barracks redevelopment (See 7.1.2), Carrickfergus regeneration and Sullatober HWRC redevelopment, which aims to improved infrastructure, increase recycling capability, and increase the recycling rate on site.

N/A.

9.1.2 Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport 9.2.1 Manufacturing value added as No available data. a proportion of GDP and per capita

9.2.2 Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment 9.3.1 Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added

No available data.

9.3.2 Proportion of small-scale industries with a loan or line of credit 9.4.1 CO2 emission per unit of value added

No available data.

No available data.

Enforcement Action: Enforcement action in regard to granting permits and licences with emission conditions for industries compliance.

UK permits are updated every 6 years based on BAT (best available technology).

Route Optimisation IT in Waste Operations: Reducing the impact of waste collection by using as efficient vehicles as council can afford and replacement of vans with electric vehicles and implementing a route optimisation system to reduce fuel use and impact of emissions.

MEA Agri-food Study and Action Plan 2020: (See 2.3.2).

Agri-food Demonstrator Programme (2021): (See 2.3.2).

Business Growth Team: (See 2.3.2).

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9.5 Enhance scientific research, 9.5.1 Research and development upgrade the technological expenditure as a proportion of GDP capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, 9.5.2 Researchers (in full-time encouraging innovation and equivalent) per million inhabitants substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending 9.a Facilitate sustainable and resilient 9.a.1 Total official international infrastructure development in support (official development developing countries through assistance plus other official flows) enhanced financial, technological and to infrastructure technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States 9.b Support domestic technology 9.b.1 Proportion of medium and development, research and high-tech industry value added in innovation in developing countries, total value added including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities 9.c Significantly increase access to 9.c.1 Proportion of population information and communications covered by a mobile network, by technology and strive to provide technology universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020 Goal 10. Reduce Inequalities Reduce inequality within and among countries 10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve 10.1.1 Growth rates of household and sustain income growth of the expenditure or income per capita bottom 40 per cent of the population among the bottom 40 per cent of at a rate higher than the national the population and the total average population 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote 10.2.1 Proportion of people living the social, economic and political below 50 per cent of median inclusion of all, irrespective of age, income, by age, sex and persons sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, with disabilities religion or economic or other status

MEA Agri-food Study and Action Plan 2020: (See 2.3.2).

No available data.

N/A.

Capital projects: (See 7.1.2 ).

Roll Out of Fibre Network (FFNI) Program: (See 1.4.1).

European Social Fund Programmes: (See 8.3.1) Pre-employment Academies: (See 4.4.1).

Redundancy Response: (See 8.3.1).

MEA Good Relations Programme: The programme's 2020/21 Action Plan aims to bring the community together, particularly people of ethnic minority backgrounds and people from different religious backgrounds.

39

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

10.3.1 Proportion of the population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed within the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality 10.5 Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations 10.6 Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions 10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies

10.4.1 Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers

10.a Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements 10.b Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed

Commitment to the Equality Commission (NI) Mental Health Charter: Mental Health Charter covers five commitments which aim to reduce inequalities in the workplace.

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Disability Action Plan: (See 8.5.2).

Equality Screening: (See 5.c.1).

Job Evaluation Scheme: (See 8.5.1).

Rural Needs Impact Assessments: (See 11.2.1).

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Job Evaluation Scheme: (See 8.5.1).

10.5.1 Financial Soundness Indicators

N/A.

10.6.1 Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations

N/A.

10.7.1 Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of yearly income earned in country of destination 10.7.2 Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies 10.a.1 Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff

N/A.

10.b.1 Total resource flows for development, by recipient and donor countries and type of flow (e.g. official development

N/A.

N/A. (Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership (NISMP) N/A.

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countries, African countries, small assistance, foreign direct island developing States and investment and other flows) landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans & programmes 10.c By 2030, reduce to less than 3 10.c.1 Remittance costs as a per cent the transaction costs of proportion of the amount remitted migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5% Goal 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to 11.1.1 Proportion of urban adequate, safe & affordable housing population living in slums, informal and basic services and upgrade slums settlements or inadequate housing

11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons 11.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization & capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning & management in all countries 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural & natural heritage

N/A.

Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan Strategy: Plan sets out a guideline for future development in the Borough to ensure development meets the needs of the citizens, accompanied by the Spatial Growth Strategy and Countryside Strategy.

11.2.1 Proportion of population that Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2). has convenient access to public Disability Action Plan: (See 8.5.2). transport, by sex, age and persons Rural Needs Impact Assessments: Under the with disabilities Rural Needs Act 2016, Council is required to regard the needs of rural communities when developing, adopting, implementing, or revising policies, strategies and plans, and when designing and delivering public services.

11.3.1 Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate 11.3.2 Proportion of cities with a direct participation structure of civil society in urban planning and management that operate regularly and democratically 11.4.1 Total expenditure (public and private) per capita spent on the preservation, protection and conservation of all cultural & natural heritage, by type of heritage (cultural, natural, mixed and World Heritage Centre designation), level of government (national, regional & local/municipal), type of

Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan Strategy: (See 11.1.1).

Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan Strategy: (See 11.1.1), developed in conjunction with extensive public consultation and the documents are currently under review by an independent statutory body.

MEA Good Relations Programme: (See 10.2.1), The Exploring Our Spaces Programme brings together community groups and offers the opportunity to learn about shared history, to network and get to know one another for future working.

Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan Strategy: (See 6.6.1 and 11.1.1), Technical Supplement 10 Appendix A - Landscape

41

expenditure (operating expenditure/investment) & type of private funding (donations in kind, private non-profit sector & sponsorship) 11.5 By 2030, significantly reduce the 11.5.1 Number of deaths, missing number of deaths & the number of persons and persons affected by people affected & substantially disaster per 100,000 peoplea decrease the direct economic losses 11.5.2 Direct disaster economic loss relative to global gross domestic in relation to global GDP, including product caused by disasters, disaster damage to critical including water-related disasters, infrastructure and disruption of with a focus on protecting the poor & basic servicesa people in vulnerable situations 11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per 11.6.1 Proportion of urban solid capita environmental impact of cities, waste regularly collected and with including by paying special attention adequate final discharge out of to air quality and municipal and other total urban solid waste generated, waste management by cities 11.6.2 Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)

11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

Character Assessment: Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, Built and Cultural Heritage.

Climate Action Working Group: (See 1.5.1).

Community Adaptation and Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

Waste Management Strategy: (See 1.2.2).

Pilot Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): (See 12.2.2).

Air Quality Management: (See 3.9.1).

Pollution Prevention and Control Regime: (See 3.9.2).

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: (See 6.3.1).

Food recycling campaigns: (See 2.1.2).

11.7.1 Average share of the built-up Public Rights of Way: Under the Access to the area of cities that is open space for Countryside (NI) Order 1983, all councils in NO public use for all, by sex, age and have a duty to “assert, protect, keep open and persons with disabilities free from obstruction any public right of way".

Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983: Councils in NI have a duty: "to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any public right of way, and compile and preserve maps and other records of public rights of way in their district".

MEA Outdoor Recreation Strategy and 10-Year Action Plan: (See 3.4.1).

11.7.2 Proportion of persons victim Disability Action Plan: (See 8.5.2). of physical or sexual harassment, by sex, age, disability status and place of occurrence, in the previous 12 months

42

11.a Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning 11.b By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels 11.c Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials

11.a.1 Proportion of population living in cities that implement urban & regional development plans integrating population projections & resource needs, by size of city 11.b.1 Proportion of local governments that adopt and implement local disaster risk reduction strategies in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030a 11.b.2 Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategiesa

11.c.1 Proportion of financial support to the least developed countries that is allocated to the construction & retrofitting of sustainable, resilient and resourceefficient buildings utilizing local materials Goal 12. Responsible Consumption and Production Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 12.1 Implement the 10-Year 12.1.1 Number of countries with Framework of Programmes on sustainable consumption and Sustainable Consumption and production (SCP) national action Production Patterns, all countries plans or SCP mainstreamed as a taking action, with developed priority or a target into national countries taking the lead, taking into policies account the development and capabilities of developing countries 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable 12.2.1 Material footprint, material management and efficient use of footprint per capita, and material natural resources footprint per GDP

Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan Strategy: (See 11.1.1).

Rural Needs Impact Assessments: (See 11.2.1).

MEA Emergency Plans: (See 1.5.3).

Climate Action Working Group: (See 1.5.1).

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

(NI Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-2024, DAERA) N/A.

N/A. (NI Sustainable Development Strategy)

BREEAM Building Standards: Adoption of building standards as a core consideration in developing new premises and renovating existing buildings in the Council’s estate.

Wastewater Reduction Strategy: Reviewing water usage data, identifying abnormal consumption across sites, and providing early intervention to avoid future waste.

Energy Efficiency Measures: Prioritising energy efficiency measures in council buildings to reduce energy consumption.

43

12.2.2 Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

12.3 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

12.3.1 Global food loss index

12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

12.4.1 Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments & obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement 12.4.2 Hazardous waste generated per capita and proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment

Draft Energy Policy: (See 7.3.1).

Internal Recycling Targets across Council estate through Waste Operations.

Environmental Management System ISO14001: Establishing key targets and objectives to reduce adverse impacts on environment e.g. paper usage reduction, energy consumption reduction, fuel usage reduction.

Domestic kerbside recycling collections: 58,000 households’ avail of a weekly or fortnightly (dry and organic) recycling collection.

Pilot Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): Scheme introduced in Whitehead and is the first of its kind in the world, utilising existing kerbside recycling collections, app-based, with monetary incentive to participate.

Food Recycling Campaigns: (See 2.1.2).

Community Fridge Programme: (See 1.2.2).

Your Business is Food Project: Delivered to food businesses to educate about food waste and methods of reducing food waste, such as reducing meal portion sizes.

Sustainable Food Places: Working across all aspects of the food system to solve some of today’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic issues; MEABC hope to become a Sustainable Food Place in 2021/22.

N/A.

Herbicide Reduction Policy: Reduction of herbicide use on Council owned land by 15% annually. Chemical and peat reduction measures have been implemented across Council’s estate, such as utilising peat made from household waste for flowerbeds and hanging baskets.

Contaminated Land Regime: (See 3.9.2).

Pollution Prevention and Control Regime:

44

(3.9.2).

Waste Management Strategy NI: (See 1.2.2).

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

12.5.1 National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.6.1 Number of companies publishing sustainability reports

12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

12.8.1 Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

12.a Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production

12.a.1 Amount of support to developing countries on research and development for sustainable consumption and production and environmentally sound technologies

12.7.1 Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: (See 6.3.1).

Food recycling Campaigns: (See 2.1.2).

Dry recycling Campaigns through household kerbside collections, through HRCs and Bring Centres.

Capital Projects: The proposed Sullatober HWRC redevelopment aims to improve infrastructure, increase on site recycling capability, and increase the overall domestic recycling rate in the Borough.

Circular Economy Social Enterprise Programme: (See 8.3.1).

MEA Environmental Performance and Carbon Footprint Report: Council publish a carbon footprint report annually which includes environmental achievements for the year.

Sustainable Procurement Training: Promoting public procurement practices that are sustainable through training staff in the Procurement and Capital Project departments regarding sustainable procurement.

Blue Flag Programme: (See 4.7.1).

Grow Your Own programmes and workshops: (See 2.1.1).

Schools Growing Clubs: (See 2.1.1).

Biodiversity University: (See 4.7.1).

Forest School Programme: (See 4.7.1).

Educational tours in Waste Operations: (See 4.7.1).

Eco Schools Programme: (See 4.7.1).

MEA Connections Magazine: Council educate householders on how to live sustainable lifestyles through articles in Council's Connections magazine.

N/A.

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12.b Develop & implement tools to 12.b.1 Number of sustainable monitor sustainable development tourism strategies or policies and impacts for sustainable tourism that implemented action plans with creates jobs and promotes local agreed monitoring and evaluation culture & products tools 12.c Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel 12.c.1 Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful subsidies per unit of GDP consumption by removing market (production and consumption) and distortions, in accordance with as a proportion of total national national circumstances, including by expenditure on fossil fuels restructuring taxation & phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs & conditions of developing countries & minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor & the affected communities Goal 13. Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 13.1 Strengthen resilience and 13.1.1 Number of countries with adaptive capacity to climate-related national and local disaster risk hazards and natural disasters in all reduction strategiesa countries 13.1.2 Number of deaths, missing persons and persons affected by disaster per 100,000 peoplea 13.2 Integrate climate change 13.2.1 Number of countries that measures into national policies, have communicated the strategies and planning establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production (including a national adaptation plan, nationally determined contribution, national communication, biennial update report or other)

Tourism Marketing Strategy: (See 8.9.1).

N/A.

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

MEA Emergency Plans: (See 1.5.3).

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

MEA Emergency Plans: (See 1.5.3).

MEA Environmental Policy: Council's recognition of environmental management of equal importance to other prime management considerations and commitment to minimise the Council's environmental impacts.

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards: (See 6.6.1 and 7.3.1).

Draft Climate Adaptation Plan: Council are working with Climate NI to develop and implement a local climate adaption plan.

Carbon Woodland programme: The proposed programme is an opportunity to implement a Carbon Code project at Carnfunnock Country Park which could provide an source of income for the Council, while helping to meet the Council’s carbon reduction targets.

MEA4Trees programme: A programme

46

13.3 Improve education, awarenessraising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.a Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions & transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization 13.b Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate changerelated planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

13.3.1 Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula 13.3.2 Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacitybuilding to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions 13.a.1 Mobilized amount of United States dollars per year starting in 2020 accountable towards the $100 billion commitment

delivered in partnership with the Woodland Trust which aims to plant 56,000+ native trees in the Borough.

Draft Energy Policy: (See 7.3.1).

Pilot Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): (See 12.2.2).

Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1).

Climate Action Working Group: (See 1.5.1).

Draft Climate Adaptation Plan: (See 13.2.1).

N/A.

13.b.1 Number of least developed N/A. countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Goal 14. Life Below Water Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

47

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from landbased activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1 Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density

14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine & coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, & take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy & productive oceans 14.3 Minimize & address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.2.1 Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches

Seaside Award Scheme: Carnlough, Ballygally and Brown’s Bay have been awarded the Seaside Award Scheme which is a mark of quality management and clean water for beaches.

Blue Flag Programme: (See 4.7.1).

Classified Ramsar Sites, SPAs (Special Protection Areas), SACs (Special Areas of Conservation), ASSI (Area of Specific Scientific Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), NR (Nature Reserves): (See 6.6.1).

Installation of Sea Bins: (See 6.6.1).

Clean-Up Campaigns: (See 6.6.1).

Health and Safety Plans: (See 6.3.1).

Household Recycling Centres (HRC), Bring Centres & Recycling Facilities: (See 6.3.1) Waste Management Strategy NI: (See 1.2.2).

KNIB Plastic Pledge: Council have pledged to reduce single use plastic across Council’s facilities.

ISO 14001 Environmental Standards: (See 6.6.1 and 7.3.1).

Support for Eco Rangers: Council provide support for litter volunteers on the Borough’s beaches and coasts.

N/A.

14.3.1 Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

No available data.

(The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) are responsible for protecting the marine areas in the Borough while maximising the sustainable use of its resources, now and for future generations.)

14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate 14.4.1 Proportion of fish stocks No available data. harvesting and end overfishing, within biologically sustainable levels (The Department of Agriculture, Environment illegal, unreported and unregulated and Rural Affairs (DAERA) are responsible for fishing and destructive fishing protecting the marine areas in the Borough practices and implement sciencewhile maximising the sustainable use of its based management plans, in order to resources, now and for future generations.) restore fish stocks in the shortest

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time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal & marine areas, consistent with national & international law and based on the best available scientific information 14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special & differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation[c] 14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism 14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.5.1 Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6.1 Progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

Classified Ramsar Sites, SPAs (Special Protection Areas), SACs (Special Areas of Conservation), ASSI (Area of Specific Scientific Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), NR (Nature Reserves): (See 6.6.1).

No available data.

14.7.1 Sustainable fisheries as a percentage of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

N/A.

14.a.1 Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

N/A.

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14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.b.1 Progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for smallscale fisheries 14.c.1 Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

N/A.

14.c Enhance the conservation and N/A. sustainable use of oceans and their (Draft Marine Plan for Northern Ireland was resources by implementing published in April 2018 by DAERA and was international law as reflected in the developed within the framework of the UK United Nations Convention on the Marine Policy Statement (MPS) in order to Law of the Sea, which provides the protect and sustainably manage the marine legal framework for the conservation environment in NI and facilitate sustainable and sustainable use of oceans and development including coastal areas.) their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want” Goal 15. Life On Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 15.1 By 2020, ensure the 15.1.1 Forest area as a proportion MEA4Tree programme: (See 13.1.1). conservation, restoration and of total land area Carbon Woodland programme: (See 13.1.1). sustainable use of terrestrial and 15.1.2 Proportion of important sites Local Development Plan 2030, draft Plan inland freshwater ecosystems and for terrestrial and freshwater Strategy: (See 6.6.1). their services, in particular forests, biodiversity that are covered by Classified Ramsar Sites, SPAs (Special wetlands, mountains and drylands, in protected areas, by ecosystem type Protection Areas), SACs (Special Areas of line with obligations under Conservation), ASSI (Area of Specific Scientific international agreements Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), NR (Nature Reserves): (See 6.6.1).

Local Biodiversity Action Plan: An action plan, developed in 2014, which highlights the local species and habitats.

15.2 By 2020, promote the 15.2.1 Progress towards sustainable No available data. implementation of sustainable forest management management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally 15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, 15.3.1 Proportion of land that is Contaminated Land Regime: (See 3.9.2). restore degraded land and soil, degraded over total land area including land affected by desertification, drought and floods,

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and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world 15.4 By 2030, ensure the 15.4.1 Coverage by protected areas conservation of mountain of important sites for mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development

15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

15.6 Promote fair & equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources & promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed 15.7 Take urgent action to end poaching & trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products 15.8 By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land & water ecosystems & control or eradicate the priority species 15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national & local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies & accounts

15.4.2 Mountain Green Cover Index 15.5.1 Red List Index

15.6.1 Number of countries that have adopted legislative, administrative & policy frameworks to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits 15.7.1 Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

Local Biodiversity Action Plan: (See 15.1.2).

Ecos Nature Reserve: The Ecos park is 8 kilometres of parkland that includes maturing woodland, a lake and ponds, wet grasslands and meadows grazed by Irish Moiled cattle.

Wildflower Beds: Council have planted wildflower beds across the Borough and educated the public about wildflower species.

No available data.

Local Biodiversity Action Plan: (See 15.1.2).

Red Squirrel Scheme: The scheme has been implemented at Carnfunnock Country Park in a bid to boost numbers and protect the red squirrel species in MEA. Don't Moe, Let It Grow campaign: A campaign targeted at landowners to encourage the natural growth of grass areas and educating landowners of the benefits of this.

Eradication of non-native species in the Borough.

N/A.

No available data.

15.8.1 Proportion of countries Eradication of non-native species across the adopting relevant national Council’s estate. legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species 15.9.1 Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Local Biodiversity Action Plan: (See 15.1.2).

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15.a Mobilize & significantly increase 15.a.1 Official development No available data. financial resources from all sources to assistance and public expenditure conserve & sustainably use on conservation and sustainable use biodiversity and ecosystems of biodiversity and ecosystems 15.b Mobilize significant resources 15.b.1 Official development No available data. from all sources & at all levels to assistance and public expenditure finance sustainable forest on conservation and sustainable use management & provide adequate of biodiversity and ecosystems incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation & reforestation 15.c Enhance global support for 15.c.1 Proportion of traded wildlife N/A. efforts to combat poaching and that was poached or illicitly trafficking of protected species, trafficked including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities Goal 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of 16.1.1 Number of victims of MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1). violence and related death rates intentional homicide per 100,000 MEA Good Relations Programme: (See 10.2.1). everywhere population, by sex and age 16.1.2 Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause 16.1.3 Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months 16.1.4 Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

MEA Good Relations Programme: (See 10.2.1).

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

MEA Good Relations Programme: (See 10.2.1).

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

MEA Good Relations Programme: (See 10.2.1).

Community Plan: (See 1.1.1 and 1.1.2).

No available data.

16.2.1 Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month 16.2.2 Number of victims of human No available data. trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation 16.2.3 Proportion of young women MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership & men aged 18-29 years who Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

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experienced sexual violence by age 18 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the 16.3.1 Proportion of victims of national and international levels and violence in the previous 12 months ensure equal access to justice for all who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms 16.3.2 Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population 16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce 16.4.1 Total value of inward and illicit financial and arms flows, outward illicit financial flows (in strengthen the recovery and return of current United States dollars) stolen assets and combat all forms of 16.4.2 Proportion of seized small organized crime arms and light weapons that are recorded and traced, in accordance with international standards and legal instruments 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption 16.5.1 Proportion of persons who and bribery in all their forms had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months 16.5.2 Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months 16.6 Develop effective, accountable 16.6.1 Primary government and transparent institutions at all expenditures as a proportion of levels original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar) 16.6.2 Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, 16.7.1 Proportions of positions (by participatory and representative sex, age, persons with disabilities decision-making at all levels and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

N/A. MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1).

MEA Policing & Community Safety Partnership Action Plan (2020 -21): (See 3.5.1), SO2: To improve community safety by tacking crime and anti-social behaviour, Theme 6 Addressing Paramilitarism.

National Fraud Initiative: The Local Government Auditor audits the accounts of the council. The Comptroller and Auditor General is responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under his powers in Articles 4A to 4G of the Audit and Accountability NI Order 2003.

N/A.

Annual Financial Reports: The Council publish annual Statement of Accounts which provide an overview of expenditures.

Performance Improvement Plan: (See 1.1.1).

N/A.

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judiciary) compared to national distributions 16.7.2 Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive & responsive, by sex, age, disability & population group 16.8 Broaden and strengthen the 16.8.1 Proportion of members and participation of developing countries voting rights of developing in the institutions of global countries in international governance organizations 16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity 16.9.1 Proportion of children under for all, including birth registration 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age 16.10 Ensure public access to 16.10.1 Number of verified cases of information and protect fundamental killing, kidnapping, enforced freedoms, in accordance with disappearance, arbitrary detention national legislation and international and torture of journalists, agreements associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months 16.10.2 Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information

16.a Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime 16.b Promote and enforce nondiscriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

16.a.1 Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles

Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2).

Disability Action Plan: (See 8.5.2).

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.

Access to Information Policy & Data Protection Policy: Policies to ensure MEABC’s compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and associated legislation/good practice to protect individuals with regard to the processing of their personal data by Council.

N/A.

16.b.1 Proportion of population Equality Scheme: (See 8.5.2). reporting having personally felt Disability Action Plan: (See 8.5.2). discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

Goal 17. Partnership for the Goals

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Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Finance 17.1 Strengthen domestic resource 17.1.1 Total government revenue as No available data. mobilization, including through a proportion of GDP, by source international support to developing 17.1.2 Proportion of domestic No available data. countries, to improve domestic budget funded by domestic taxes capacity for tax and other revenue collection 17.2 Developed countries to 17.2.1 Net official development N/A. implement fully their official assistance, total and to least development assistance developed countries, as a commitments, including the proportion of the Organization for commitment by many developed Economic Cooperation and countries to achieve the target of 0.7 Development (OECD) Development per cent of gross national income for Assistance Committee donors’ gross official development assistance national income (GNI) (ODA/GNI) to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries; ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries 17.3 Mobilize additional financial 17.3.1 Foreign direct investments N/A. resources for developing countries (FDI), official development from multiple sources assistance and South-South Cooperation as a proportion of total domestic budget 17.3.2 Volume of remittances (in N/A. United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP 17.4 Assist developing countries in 17.4.1 Debt service as a proportion N/A. attaining long-term debt of exports of goods and services sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief & debt restructuring, as appropriate, & address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress 17.5 Adopt & implement investment 17.5.1 Number of countries that N/A. promotion regimes for least adopt & implement investment developed countries promotion regimes for least developed countries

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Technology 17.6 Enhance North-South, SouthSouth and triangular regional & international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledgesharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism 17.7 Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed 17.8 Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacitybuilding mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology Capacity-building 17.9 Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation Trade 17.10 Promote a universal, rulesbased, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of

17.6.1 Number of science and/or N/A. technology cooperation agreements & programmes between countries, by type of cooperation 17.6.2 Fixed Internet broadband N/A. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, by speed

17.7.1 Total amount of approved N/A. funding for developing countries to promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies

17.8.1 Proportion of individuals using the Internet

Roll Out of Fibre Network (FFNI) Program: (See 1.4.1).

17.9.1 Dollar value of financial and technical assistance (including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation) committed to developing countries

N/A.

17.10.1 Worldwide weighted tariffaverage

N/A.

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negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda

17.11 Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020 17.12 Realize timely implementation of duty-free & quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions Systemic issues Policy and institutional coherence 17.13 Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence 17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development

17.11.1 Developing countries’ and least developed countries’ share of global exports

No available data.

17.12.1 Average tariffs faced by developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing States

N/A.

17.13.1 Macroeconomic Dashboard

N/A.

17.14.1 Number of countries with mechanisms in place to enhance policy coherence of sustainable development 17.15 Respect each country’s policy 17.15.1 Extent of use of countryspace and leadership to establish and owned results frameworks and implement policies for poverty planning tools by providers of eradication and sustainable development cooperation development Multi-stakeholder partnerships 17.16 Enhance the Global Partnership 17.16.1 Number of countries for Sustainable Development, reporting progress in multicomplemented by multi-stakeholder stakeholder development partnerships that mobilize and share effectiveness monitoring knowledge, expertise, technology and frameworks that support the financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable achievement of the Sustainable development goals Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

N/A. (Sustainable Development Strategy NI)

N/A.

Community Health & Wellbeing Team: Working in partnership with Department for Communities and NIHE to deliver programmes targeted at tackling the causes and impacts of poverty in the Borough.

Blue Flag Programmes: (See 4.7.1.), educational programmes delivered in partnership with DAERA and the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Partnerships within Waste Operations: Waste Operations services delivered through partnerships with WRAP & private bodies.

Classified Ramsar Sites, SPAs (Special Protection Areas), SACs (Special Areas of Conservation), ASSI (Area of Specific Scientific

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17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private & civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships Data, monitoring and accountability 17.18 By 2020, enhance capacitybuilding support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of highquality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts

17.19 By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

17.17.1 Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private & civil society partnerships

17.18.1 Proportion of sustainable development indicators produced at the national level with full disaggregation when relevant to the target, in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics 17.18.2 Number of countries that have national statistical legislation that complies with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics 17.18.3 Number of countries with a national statistical plan that is fully funded and under implementation, by source of funding 17.19.1 Dollar value of all resources made available to strengthen statistical capacity in developing countries 17.19.2 Proportion of countries that (a) have conducted at least one population and housing census in the last 10 years; and (b) have achieved 100 per cent birth registration and 80 per cent death registration

Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), NR (Nature Reserves): (See 6.6.1), sites are managed in partnership with DAERA. Community Adaptation & Resilience Building: (See 1.5.1), partnerships with DfI Rivers, DfI Roads, Met Office, NI Water and multi-agency groups to support climate adaptation and community resilience.

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.

N/A.

N/A. (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency conduct the census every 10 years in.)

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6. Discussion & Recommendations This section provides an overview of the Council’s progress on the SDGs and offers recommendations based on the research findings, the specified context of the region, with particular consideration given to the local challenges evident in the Borough and guided by relevant literature regarding attaining progress toward the SDGs on a local level. When assessing progress toward the SDGs, it is important to recognise that the goals are not placed on a hierarchical ladder, hence, equal importance should be given to each (Nagy, Benedek and Ivan, 2018). Each recommendation is presented individually and in the following structure: the current SDG gap; evidence to support this gap as a priority; actions which would allow progress to made toward achieving success in this gap; and the SDG that this progress would work toward.

Child Poverty Goal 1: No Poverty, Target 1.2 aims to halve the proportion of “children of all ages living in poverty”. Child poverty is associated with a wide range of health damaging impacts, negative educational outcomes and adverse long-term social and psychological outcomes. The poor health associated with child poverty limits significantly children’s potential and development (Wickham, 2016). While MEABC is currently deliver many programmes that tackle forms of poverty in the Borough, they are not currently delivering any programmes that directly deal with child poverty. Barnardo’s NI, the largest children’s charity in NI, reported that the current COVID-19 pandemic, and enormous negative social and economic impacts affecting citizens everyday lives, is placing more children in vulnerable situations and at risk of child poverty (2020). While the NIMDM 2017 stated that 17% of MEA’s population aged 15 and under are living in households whose equivalised income is below 60% of the NI median, it can be assumed in the given circumstances that this figure has risen. Achieving target 1.2 locally requires support for policies to reduce child poverty, providing services that reduce the health consequences of child poverty, comprehensive measuring and understanding of the problem in the Borough, and assessing the impact of any actions (Wickham, 2016). Additionally, further incorporation of strategic themes that tackle child poverty into a comprehensive Inclusive Growth Strategy (IGS), such as MEA Local Development Plan, and implementing policies promoting work-life balance, better quality, and better paid jobs, are key to reducing child poverty in the long term (Benedetti, Betti, & Crescenzi, 2020).

Promoting Resilient Agricultural Practices Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Target 2.4 aims to “ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices”. Currently, MEABC is not delivering any actions that directly work toward this target. The Agri-food Study and Action Plan (MEABC, 2019c) identified that there are 1,797 farms registered in MEA and highlights the strong base of food production and processing companies in the Borough. The action plan lays out four key areas which the 59

Council intend to support going forward: Agri-food Skill Development, Agri-food Network, Agrifood Entrepreneur Development, and Agri-food Demonstrator Programme. These key areas mostly focus on the development of agri-food specific skills for understanding market demand, increasing productivity through utilising agri-technology, and diversifying the sector, however, there is an opportunity to incorporate the promotion of resilient agricultural practices alongside these primary objectives, and in so doing encourage climate adaptation and ensure food security across the large agri-food sector in the Borough. Additionally, support could be offered in partnership with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) to help farmers measure the carbon footprint of their farms and put in place a carbon reduction plan in place to reduce their emissions, aiding both progress toward SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production and SDG 13: Climate Action.

A Focus on Gender Equality in Local Pandemic Recovery Plans Goal 5: Gender Equality, Target 5.1 aims to eliminate “all forms of violence against all women and girls”. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 35% of women, globally, have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime (WHO, 2020). As the pandemic continues, measures to limit mobility have placed women at a disproportionally increased risk of harm, as rates of violence against women and girls (VAWG) intensify around the world (UN Women, 2020; Women’s Aid, 2020; Kofman & Garfin, 2020; Noman et al., 2021). Further progress is needed to prevent VAWG and comprehensive data is required to gain a full picture of the scope of the current condition in NI (UKSSD, 2018). However, statistics indicate to the prevalence of VAWG with domestic abuse cases in 2020 rising to the highest level recorded since 2004/05 (PSNI, 2020). MEA had 2,233 domestic abuse incidents recorded by police in 2020. While this figure did not present a rise in levels of domestic abuse incidents between the 2019-2020 period (PSNI, 2020), domestic abuse continues to be underreported across NI and has more repeat victims than any other crime (Women’s Resource and Development Agency, 2020). The development of an online programme tackling VAWG in partnership with relevant organisations may promote awareness across the Borough and aid critical community mobilisation on this issue. Going forward, MEABC’s pandemic recovery plans should consider the engagement of gender balanced COVID19 taskforces and working groups, crucially with representation from women’s sector groups to ensure a gender lens to all future actions, and prioritisation of investment into local domestic abuse support services (Women’s Resource and Development Agency, 2020).

Goal 5: Gender Equality, Target 5.5 aims to “ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making”. Given the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women (Women’s Resource and Development Agency, 2020), the adoption of special measures and programmes regarding gender equality may help to advance women and girl’s equal participation in business, managerial roles, political roles, and governance roles. The adoption of gender parity measures within Council could steer achievements toward this target locally, while support for and promotion of women-owned 60

businesses could help progress toward this goal during the pandemic recovery, with particular consideration to those in vulnerable situations and those of minority ethnic backgrounds.

Extended Producer Responsibility Policy Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production, Target 12.5 aims to “reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse". MEABC’s kerbside collection recycling rate has increased from 42.8% in 2016 to 51.38% in 2020, and the proposed redevelopment of the Sullatober HWRC aims to improved infrastructure, increase the recycling capability, and increase the recycling rate on site. One recommendation to further advance progress toward this target is the adoption of an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy which is an environmental policy approach in which a producer's responsibility for a product is extended to the postconsumer stage of a product's life cycle (Hilton et al., 2019). Many European countries trying to promote sustainable development by transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, where waste is to be prevented and recycling activities are promoted, have successfully implemented EPR policies (Rubio et al., 2019). Implementing and facilitating a EPR policy in the Borough could promote material usage reduction and increase recycling rates directly (Rubio et al., 2019), and subsequently further local progress toward SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production directly, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13: Climate Action indirectly.

Widespread Adoption of a Deposit Return Scheme A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a recycling system in which consumers pay a small deposit for plastic and glass bottles, which can be refunded upon return to a shop (DAERA, 2017). In 2019, DAERA conducted consultations on introducing a DRS in NI, seeking to identify opinions on measures to help reduce littering, boost recycling levels for relevant materials, provide the enhanced possibility to collect high quality materials in greater quantities and promote recycling through clear labelling and consumer messaging. A pilot DRS has been introduced in Whitehead, utilising existing kerbside recycling collections, app-based, with monetary incentive to participate. Dependent on this scheme’s success, greater adoption of a DRS across the Borough would further advance MEA toward SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13: Climate Action.

A Focus on Incorporating SDG 10: Reducing Inequalities Across the Service Areas Based on data collected from the survey responses (See Appendix C), 73% of the Council’s service areas are not delivering on SDG 10: Reduce Inequalities. Despite this, reducing inequality should be an essential driver in each of the Council’s service areas. Considering the local challenges in the Borough associated with inequality, such as demographic ageing and rural deprivation, the Council should focus on incorporating a procedural framework with ensures all staff member across all service areas consider and implement actions to address issues of inequality.

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Updated Local Biodiversity Action Plan Goal 15: Life on Land, Target 15.5 strives to “take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and… protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species”. MEA’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) was produced in 2014 and highlights the rich biodiversity heritage that exists in the Borough. While the plan comprises of three objectives - Help conserve habitats and species; Raise awareness of local biodiversity; and Involve people in biodiversity projects and develop partnerships (MEABC, 2014) - the document lacks the required actions to achieve these objectives and lacks indicators to measure progress. This document has not been updated since 2014 and statement of progress has not been formally published. An updated LBAP, accompanied by an extensive list of actions and indicators would act as a practical conservation framework, while boosting awareness of the wealth of wildlife and special places that exist in the Borough. This document should consider local species that are consider as being at risk, not-at-risk or at unknown level of risk of extinction (Target 2.5.2) and provide adequate resourcing to prevent or control of invasive alien species in the Borough (Target 15.8.1).

Implementing an updated LBAP and thorough statements of progress in the future would guide Council’s actions and achievements toward many of the targets of both SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land. MEABC should consider this to be critical due to the Council’s statutory duty to further the conservation of biodiversity, formalised in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act NI 2011. Furthermore, the adoption and promotion of clear hunting and poaching guidelines regarding wildlife crime, such as badger baiting and deer poaching, would help progress toward target 15.c, which aims to “… combat poaching and trafficking of protected species”, and may act as a preventative measure to protect MEA’s diminishing biodiversity.

Woodland Management Plan Goal 15: Life on Land, Target 15.2 aims to “… promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests”. NI is one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with just 8% woodland cover compared to the European average of 46%. MEA is a sparsely wooded county with less than 4% woodland cover, despite this, many smaller woodlands are not actively managed in the Borough. While the MEA4Tress programme aims to plant 56,000+ native trees and increase the overall woodland cover across the Borough, the programme is constrained to specific areas of for tree planting such as available Council owned land. The development of a woodland management plan as a working document for small forest areas would provide ensure the protection for existing woodland and a succession of growth, productivity, and the maintenance of habitat diversity. The continued health of woodland areas in the Borough and the biodiversity found in these areas is dependent upon a long-term commitment to a comprehensive woodland management plan.

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Sustainability Literacy Programme and SDGs Responsibility Framework Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Target 12.8 aims to “ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development…”, while Goal 4: Quality Education, Target 4.7 strives to “ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…”. Based on Appendix C, many of the Council members selected the ‘Unsure’ option for at least one of the goals when asked if a goal what relevant to their work area. This demonstrates a general lack of understanding of the UN SDGs, targets and indicators. Delivering a sustainability literacy programme for Council members would help to raise the overall awareness and understanding of the goals across the Council.

The provision of information regarding collating data and monitoring progress for the SDGs may improve the engagement of Council members with tracking their services areas to the goals.

Furthermore, developing a responsibility framework for each Council departments which details the goals and targets their service areas should be working towards may guide their efforts and further implement the goals across the Council’s service areas. The findings table and these recommendations could act as a preliminary baseline to identify which goals and targets need immediate action by the most suitable department. As many of the goals are crosscutting, collaboration and frequent communication would be required across departments to effectively implement this framework.

Further Research into the Impacts of Climate Change in MEA Further research is required regarding causes and potential impacts of climate change in the Borough. efforts to integrate this into the Council’s service areas. when considering the implementation of any new development policies or plans going forward. While lots of work is underway to address the Council’s carbon footprint, such as reducing fuel consumption, reducing waste sent to landfill, reducing energy use, moving to renewable energies, and the development of an energy accountability framework across Council departments, a more comprehensive awareness across the Council’s departments of the potential impacts of these actions could help to promote engagement with such actions. Much like the above recommendation, the development of a climate change literacy programme

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Sustainability Science, Vol. 15, pp. 179–202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-019-00739-z NI Department of the Environment. (2014). Draft statutory guidance for the operation of Community Planning Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014. Belfast: Department of the Environment, NI. Noman, A.H.M., Griffiths, M.D., Pervin, S., & Ismail, M.N. (2021). The detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence against women. Journal of Psychiatric Research, Vol. 134, pp. 111-112. ISSN: 0022-3956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.057 Nagy, J.A., Benedek, J., & Ivan, K. (2018). Measuring Sustainable Development Goals at a Local Level: A Case of a Metropolitan Area in Romania. Sustainability, Vol. 10, 3962. DOI: 10.3390/su10113962.

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United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [online] Last accessed 20th February 2021: https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E Wickham, S., Anwar, E., Barr, B., Law, C., & Taylor-Robinson, D. (2016). Poverty and child health in the UK: using evidence for action. Arch Dis Child, pp. 101:759–766.

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8. Appendices Appendix A: Titles and Descriptions for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Goals

Descriptions of Goals (Provided to Council Members Prior Survey)

GOAL 1: No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere: • Eradicate extreme poverty.

• Reduce the proportion of people living in poverty.

• Implement relevant social protection systems and measures for all.

• Ensure that all people, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources and basic services.

• Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to economic, social and environmental shocks, climaterelated events and disasters.

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture: • End hunger and ensure access to nutritious and sufficient food for all.

• End all forms of malnutrition.

• Improve the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through secure and equal access to resources, inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities.

• Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.

• Maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks.

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages: Reduce the maternal mortality ratio.

• End preventable deaths of new-borns and children, reduce neonatal mortality and under-5 mortality.

• End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

• Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

• Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

• Reduce the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

• Ensure access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.

• Achieve health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

• Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals.

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all:

GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

GOAL 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

GOAL 4: Quality Education

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Ensure that all girls and boys complete equitable and quality primary and secondary education.

• Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education.

• Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.

• Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

• Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.

• Ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy and numeracy.

• Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

• Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls: • Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

• Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

• Value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household.

• Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

• Ensure access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all: • Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all • Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

• Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals, reduce the proportion of untreated wastewater and increasing recycling.

• Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.

• Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.

• Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, lakes, wetlands, and rivers.

• Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries.

• Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all: • Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

• Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

• Increase the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

•

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

70

Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

• Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services.

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all: • Sustain economic growth.

• Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological innovation.

• Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of small enterprises.

• Improve resource efficiency in consumption and production, and decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.

• Achieve productive employment and decent work for all, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

• Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

• Take effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

• Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

• Devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism.

• Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services.

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation: • Develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

• Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and raise the industry’s share of employment.

• Increase the access of small-scale industrial enterprises to financial services.

• Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and processes.

• Enhance scientific research to upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.

• Increase access to information and communications technology and provide affordable access to the Internet.

Reduce inequality within and among countries: • Achieve and sustain the income growth of the bottom 40% of the population.

• Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.

• Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.

• Adopt wage and social protection policies and progressively achieve greater equality.

• Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions.

•

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

71

Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in economic and financial institutions.

• Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people.

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable: • Ensure access for all to safe and affordable housing and basic services.

• Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

• Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for sustainable human settlement planning and management.

• Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage.

• Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses.

• Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and waste management.

• Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

• Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas.

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns: • Implement programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

• Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

• Reduce food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains.

• Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle and reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

• Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

• Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.

• Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable.

• Ensure that people have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles.

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts: • Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

• Integrate climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning.

• Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction.

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development: • Reduce marine pollution of all kinds.

• Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification.

• Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.

• Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans to restore fish stocks.

• Conserve coastal and marine areas.

•

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

72

Prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing.

• Eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

• Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity.

• Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss: • Ensure the sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

• Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation.

• Ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.

• Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

• Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources.

• Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna.

• Introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control.

• Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels: • Reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.

• End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and violence against children.

• Reduce illicit financial and arms flows and combat all forms of organized crime.

• Reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

• Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.

• Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.

• Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

• Provide legal identity for all.

• Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.

• Strengthen relevant institutions for building capacity at all levels to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

• Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development: • Strengthen domestic resource mobilisation to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection.

• Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.

•

GOAL 15: Life on Land

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

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• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability.

Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries.

Enhance regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.

Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries.

Operationalise the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacitybuilding mechanism for least developed countries.

Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacitybuilding in developing countries to implement all the sustainable development goals.

Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system.

Increase the exports of developing countries.

Enhance global macroeconomic stability.

Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.

Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development.

Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

Build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product.

Appendix B: Survey Data: Respondents by Council Department Department Economic Development Corporate Services Community Tourism Waste Operations Public Protection, Health and Wellbeing Emergency Planning Parks and Open Spaces Planning Grounds Management Communications Environmental Health Harbours & Marinas

No. of Respondents (Total: 30) 2 5 3 1 2 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 1

Appendix C: Survey Data: Breakdown of Council Departments Delivering on Each of the SDGs (Total %) Question: Within your work area, are there any strategies, programmes, plans or projects that contribute to this goal?

GOAL 1: No Poverty GOAL 2: Zero Hunger GOAL 3: Good Health & Wellbeing

Yes

No

Unsure

43% 43% 14% 30% 60% 10% 63% 30% 7% 74

GOAL 4: Quality Education GOAL 5: Gender Equality GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure GOAL 10: Reduce Inequalities GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production GOAL 13: Climate Action GOAL 14: Life Below Water GOAL 15: Life on Land GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions GOAL 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

40% 27% 33% 40% 43% 27% 20% 53% 50% 43% 73% 40% 23% 20%

53% 63% 63% 53% 43% 57% 73% 37% 47% 53% 20% 57% 63% 70%

7% 10% 3% 7% 14% 17% 7% 10% 3% 3% 7% 3% 13% 10%

Appendix D: Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017: Statistics for MEA and NI Income and Employment Proportion of the population living in households whose equivalised income is below 60 per cent of the NI median Proportion of the population aged 15 and under living in households whose equivalised income is below 60 per cent of the NI median Proportion of the population aged 65 and over living in households whose equivalised income is below 60 per cent of the NI median Proportion of the working age population who are employment deprived Health and Disability Standardized preventable death ratio (excluding Suicides) (NI = 100) Standardised physical health-related benefit ratio (NI = 100) Standardized ratio of people registered as having cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) (NI = 100) Standardized emergency admission ratio (NI = 100) Proportion of Singleton Births with Low Birth Weight Standardized ratio of Children’s Dental Extractions (NI = 100) Standardised ratio of people on multiple prescriptions on a regular basis (NI = 100) Standardised ratio of people with a long-term health problem or disability (Excluding Mental Health problems) (NI = 100) Education, Skills, Training

Mid & East Antrim

Northern Ireland

11.6%

13.1%

17.2%

18.9%

6.5%

6.2%

17.5%

20.6%

Mid & East Antrim 91.2 83.4

Northern Ireland 100 100

98.5

100

94.7 4.4% 87.8

100 100 100

95.7

100

95.9

100

Mid & East Antrim

Northern Ireland 75

Proportion of pupils attending Special Schools or attending primary school with Special Education Needs Stages 3-5 (%) Absenteeism at Primary Schools (% of possible attendance) Proportion of school leavers not achieving five or more GCSEs at A*C (and equivalent) incl. English and maths (%) Proportion of those leaving school aged 16, 17 and 18 not entering Education, Employment or Training (%) Proportion of 18–21-year-olds who have not enrolled in Higher Education Courses at Higher or Further Education establishments (%) Proportion of pupils attending Special Schools or who are attending post-primary schools with Special Education Needs Stages 3-5 (%) Absenteeism at post-primary schools (% of possible attendance) Proportions of working age adults (25-64) with no or low levels of qualification (%) Access to Services Proportion of properties with broadband speed below 10Mb/s Living Environment Proportion of domestic dwellings that are unfit Proportion of domestic dwellings in a state of disrepair Proportion of domestic dwellings without modern boiler, or loft insulation and double glazing Rate of Household overcrowding Proportion of population with disability without adaptations to dwelling Proportion of domestic dwellings with Local Area Problem Scores Standardised ratio of road defects (NI = 100) Rate of Road Traffic Collisions (per 1,000 population) Proportion of properties in flood risk area (%) Crime and Disorder Rate of Violence (including sexual offences), robbery and public order (per 1,000 population) Rate of Burglary (per 1,000 population) Rate of Theft (per 1,000 population) Rate of Vehicle Crime (per 1,000 population) Rate of Criminal Damage and Arson (per 1,000 population) Rate of Deliberate Primary and Secondary Fires (per 1,000 population) Rate of Anti-Social Behaviour Incidents (per 1,000 population)

7.3%

9.1%

4.2%

4.6%

35.4%

35.7%

3.7%

2.8%

64.1%

63.9%

6.8%

8.7%

6.3%

6.5%

33.6%

35.6%

Mid & East Antrim 10.6% Mid & East Antrim 2.6% 15.6%

Northern Ireland 10.4% Northern Ireland 2.4% 15.8%

29%

26.9%

2.4%

3.9%

84.9%

83.8%

2.6% 90.4 3.8 2.7% Mid & East Antrim

2.5% 100 4.2 2.5% Northern Ireland

12

15.6

2.9 5.6 1 7.3

3.9 6.8 2.2 8.9

2.6

3.1

24.5

27.8 76