Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair and members for inviting me to speak today about our sectoral emissions ceilings. These ceilings, which were approved by the Government in July, will support and guide our transition to a sustainable, healthy and more prosperous economy and society. They will underpin Ireland's ambitious commitments to tackle climate breakdown while also increasing our energy security and they will put Ireland in a strong position in the global race to the top in embracing net zero emissions, agricultural and business models. We will innovate and create job opportunities in the coming new economy as we meet our targets. The Government has agreed a ministerial accountability framework which assigns responsibility for achieving targets across a number of Ministers, primarily the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The ministerial accountability framework will be reviewed within six months to ensure we achieve the optimal enduring accountability arrangements.

In reaching a decision on the sectoral emissions ceilings the Government has had to consider a large range of factors, including cost, feasibility, socioeconomic impact, the contribution to other sustainability goals and the ability to serve as a steppingstone to achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050. In July we were in a position to agree ceilings for the electricity, transport and built-environment with the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. This provides some certainty and clarity for these sectors on the level of action and investment required to reach our 2030 targets.

With regard to the land use and land-use change and forestry, LULUCF, sector, the committee will be aware of the new scientific data published by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, this summer which showed a significant deterioration in the emissions profile in the period to 2030. This will need to be fully assessed before the ceiling for this sector can be finalised.

This work will be carried out in parallel with the second phase of the land use review, due to be completed within 18 months. If necessary, the climate Act provides for the review of carbon budgets in certain circumstances, including where there are significant developments in scientific knowledge about climate change.

My Department has prepared an overview of the sectoral emissions ceilings for publication. This overview will help to answer questions people may have about the ceilings. It includes information on the legislative context for the ceilings, the process undertaken to prepare them and details of the ceilings for each sector in the first two carbon budget periods. Emissions targets for 2025 and 2030 are set out, which will set us on a pathway to achieving our legally-binding 51% reduction target by 2030, as well as the carbon budgets for the first two five-year periods. Sectors must stay within their respective ceilings for each carbon budget period. Achievement of Ireland's ambitious 2030 climate targets will require transformative changes across all sectors of our society and economy, which will deliver a safer, healthier, more sustainable and prosperous future. Collaboration across Government, business, academia, communities and individuals will be required to make the necessary changes and investments.

I would like to finish by thanking the committee and noting the integral role it will play, as set out in the 2021 Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Amendment Act, in reviewing the Government's progress in achieving our climate ambitions. The oversight from this committee is a key component of our enhanced climate governance structures and will improve the accountability of Ministers for delivery of climate. I look forward to further engagement with the committee as we work towards achieving a 51% reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero no later than 2050.