Dáil debates

Wednesday, 4 October 2006

1:00 pm

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 179, 209, 220 and 341 together.

Since the publication of the national climate change strategy in 2000, the Government has put in place a variety of measures which, collectively, will deliver an average 8 million tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during the period 2008-12. That is our compliance period for the Kyoto Protocol and it is the period during which we will be assessed.

A number of measures have been taken. We have strengthened the energy requirements in the building regulations and over the key period that will lead to a reduction of approximately 300,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. Regulations require all new cars for sale to be labelled with fuel economy and CO2 emissions information. That is making a positive contribution. The renewable energy directive to which we are committed will achieve a 1.3 million tonne CO2 reduction annually. Excise relief of over €200 million between 2006 and 2010 will bring emissions reductions of 250,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to taking 76,000 cars off the road.

The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will have the biggest single impact. Less greenhouse gas emissions arise from fewer and younger animals. The reduction under those changes will be approximately 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 per annum. The Government's forestry programme will also contribute to the removal of over 2 million tonnes of CO2 per annum.

There are three strands to the Government's approach. The first is measures to reduce emissions throughout the economy. Most Deputies accept that there is no single saver bullet. A variety of changes will achieve the impact. Second is the emissions reductions in the installations participating in the EU emissions trading scheme. Third, where it arises, there is the purchase of credits for carbon reductions elsewhere in the world, which is an option specifically provided for in the Kyoto Protocol.

I recently launched a report on the implementation of the climate change strategy, entitled, Ireland's Pathway to Kyoto Compliance. The report provided the basis for a period of public consultation up to the end of last month. The responses to this open consultation will inform the identification of future policies.

In addition, progress will also be achieved by the range of new measures identified in the Green Paper on energy published last Sunday. These are significant. The greener homes renewable energy grants scheme, for example, has been remarkably successful and has a tremendous take-up. It will deliver an approximate 200,000 tonne reduction in emissions. There are new ambitious targets for renewable energy use of 15% by 2010 and 30% by 2020, which will more than double the savings in that regard. We intend to more than double the use of biofuels by 2010 from 2% to 5.75%, which will have significant emissions benefits.

The establishment of a task force on bio-energy will help to develop an integrated national policy in this area, taking into account the various policy strands arising under different Departments. That will be in place by the end of 2006. There is an action plan on energy efficiency to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. This is the Power of One scheme which was launched last week. I believe it will have a significant impact. An increase in the use of combined heat and power to 350 MW by 2010 with grants for 30% of the installation costs will also have an impact. There is a commitment to co-firing peat-fired power stations with 30% biomass by 2015. This will not only have the effect of cutting emissions but will also reduce our dependence on imported fuels.

Significant changes have already been introduced and more are on the way. I am confident that with these changes we are well on target to meet our Kyoto figures.

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