Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 6, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “The target-setting criteria

3.(1) In this Act, the “target-setting criteria” are—

(a) the objective of not exceeding the fair and safe Irish emissions budget,

(b) European and international law and policy relating to climate change (including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and protocols to and agreements under that Convention, including the Agreement done at Paris on 12 December 2015),

(c) scientific knowledge about climate change,

(d) technology relevant to climate change,

(e) economic circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on—

(i) the Irish economy,

(ii) the competitiveness of particular sectors of the Irish economy,

(iii) small and medium-sized enterprises,

(iv) jobs and employment opportunities,

(f) fiscal circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on taxation, public spending and public borrowing,

(g) social circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on those living in poorer or deprived communities,

(h) the likely impact of the target on public health,

(i) the likely impact of the target on those living in remote rural communities and island communities,

(j) energy policy, in particular the likely impact of the target on energy supplies, the renewable energy sector and the carbon and energy intensity of the Irish economy,

(k) environmental considerations and, in particular, the likely impact of the target on biodiversity,

(l) the likely impact of the target on the achievement of sustainable development, including the achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals,

(m) current international carbon reporting practice,

(n) the requirement for the State’s climate targets to represent its highest possible ambition and progression.

(2) In this Act, the “fair and safe Irish emissions budget” is the aggregate amount of net Irish emissions of greenhouse gases for the period 2021 to 2050 as recommended by the Advisory Council as being consistent with the State, in line with the principles set out in Article 3 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, contributing appropriately to the holding of the increase in global average temperature to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”.

This is setting the scene again and being specific on what target setting criteria should be and what they should involve. It is fundamental that we base it on science and the technologies we know are relevant to climate change. I will not go through each of the elements but it is a matter of ensuring that each of those elements is recognised, addressed and acknowledged within this legislation and that when the criteria are being set, each of those elements is considered.