Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1461: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will take regarding the burning of fossil fuels which could see global temperature increasing by three degrees centigrade and which could create the potential for more flooding, forest fires and droughts; and if he will make this an international issue. [28345/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Climate Change Strategy set out a policy framework to enable Ireland meet its International obligations to address climate change, and comprises a comprehensive programme towards achieving the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions across all sectors of our economy including transport and energy, which are primarily responsible for the burning of fossil fuels.

I recently launched a report on the implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy, entitled Ireland's Pathway to Kyoto Compliance. Copies of the report are available in the Oireachtas Library. The report provides the basis for a public consultation, which will inform the preparation of a revised National Climate Change Strategy. The report shows that at least 8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions will be removed through policies and measures already in place over the period for compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, 2008-2012. This reduces, by more than half, the gap to Ireland's Kyoto target identified in the National Climate Change Strategy. There are three strands to the Government's approach to achieving the further reductions needed to bridge the remaining distance to target: emissions reductions, or purchase of carbon allowances, by installations participating in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; use of the Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms by the Government to purchase credits for carbon reductions elsewhere in the world; and measures to reduce emissions throughout the economy, in addition to those set out in the National Climate Change Strategy and those introduced subsequently.

I have published the recent updated report to permit consultation on a range of options for Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions even further. The more measures Ireland puts in place now, the more we will be able to reduce our emissions between now and 2012 and the better prepared we will be to take on potentially more demanding targets beyond 2012.

The public consultation on the review of the National Climate Change Strategy will run until 30 September. The Government will publish a revised National Climate Change Strategy before the end of 2006. I am confident that Ireland will meet its Kyoto targets. At an international level, Ireland also supports the proactive position of the European Union on achieving the ultimate objective stated in Article 2 of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.