Dáil debates

Wednesday, 10 June 2020

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements

 

10:10 am

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are definitely going in the wrong direction. On the same page, it is stated that "the 2030 reduction targets", under what we signed up to with the EU, "require that Ireland reduce its non‐ETS emissions by 30% on 2005 levels by 2030". There is much talk about a 6% or 7% reduction in carbon emissions targets. Going back to something that was said earlier, we have not yet seen any modelling done by Departments showing year-on-year how that reduction in targets is going to be achieved. We have also not been given any costings. What is the plan and where is it? I ask that because when we discussed this issue with departmental officials in recent weeks and months, they told us that in some areas the modelling has not been done. When we look at all the areas, such as agriculture, transport, residential, commercial and non-energy intensive industry, where we have to achieve a reduction of 6% or 7%, whatever the figure parties might settle on, reaching that target will require huge change. It will require transformative change and we want to see that change, but we also have to see what is necessary to make that change happen. What is the modelling and where is it? If it exists, what is it Department by Department? This is an opportunity. I agree that this is 70 pages of fluff. There is not much in this report. The crux of this matter, the real issue, is how we get from A to B. How do we get from having a target to actually reducing our emissions? There is no point having these targets if there are no implementation plans and actions. Has the modelling been done? If it has been done, how can we achieve those targets on a percentage basis year-on-year? Where is that information? Will the Minister give us some indication of how much it will cost this State to achieve a 7% reduction in annual carbon emissions? I refer to actual measures and not where the money will be acquired. What will it cost to achieve those targets? Has the modelling been done and, if so, can that information be forwarded to us?

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