Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on the environment and climate action oversees implementation of the ambitious programme for Government commitments in environment and climate change, including the implementation of the climate action plan. The committee has met on 22 occasions since July 2020, most recently on 10 June.

The Department of the Taoiseach prepares progress reports on the delivery of measures committed to under the climate action plan. The latest progress report for the 2024 climate action plan, CAP24, was published on 3 September. It provides detail on actions that were due to be completed in quarter 1 and quarter 2 of this year, along with progress on delayed high impact actions from the climate action plan 2023.

This latest progress report shows that 20 of the 33 actions set out for the first half of the year were completed by the end of quarter 2. Actions reported as delayed will continue to be pursued and will be reported on in the upcoming quarter 3 progress report. Examples of high impact actions completed and detailed in the progress report for the first and second quarters include publishing the national biomethane strategy, publishing the high-powered EV charging strategy, developing the strategic rail review implementation plan, reducing the minimum number of large fossil-fuel electricity generators, delivering low-cost finance options for home retrofit, publishing a decarbonisation roadmap for industrial heat, establishing the national agricultural soil carbon observatory, updating the shadow price of carbon, publishing a new green public procurement strategy, adopting 31 local authority climate action plans, and finalising a new national adaptation framework. The quarter 3 progress report is currently being compiled and will be published following consideration by the Government.

While much progress has been achieved, we know we need to increase efforts and up our pace on climate action delivery. The challenge before us is profound. We need to continue to respond resolutely and practically to the climate threat before us, working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for current and future generations.

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