Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Environment Council in relation to climate change and carbon reduction. [7453/07]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has reviewed the EU's comprehensive new energy measures that were announced on 10 January 2007; if he will seek to adopt one of the key targets of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5271/07]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent decision of the EU Environment Council to commit to a 20% reduction on carbon emissions by 2020; the consequential levels of carbon reduction that will be required from Ireland; and the way he proposes that Ireland will achieve those new targets. [7463/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 147 and 183 together.

At the EU Environment Council on 20 February 2007, my European colleagues and I considered the future development of the international climate regime in light of recent scientific and economic analyses and Europe's stated objective of limiting the increase in global mean temperature to 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level. I welcomed the presentation by the Commission of its communications Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 Degrees Celsius — the way ahead for 2020 and beyond and An Energy Policy for Europe, which formed the basis for our discussions.

The Council reaffirmed the position that developed countries should collectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in the order of 30% by 2020 compared to 1990.

In that context, we agreed that the EU is willing to commit to a reduction of 30% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 as its contribution to a global and comprehensive agreement for the period beyond 2012, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emissions reductions, and that economically more advanced developing countries adequately contribute according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Furthermore, we decided that, until a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement is concluded, and without prejudice to its position to the EU's position in international negotiations, the EU should make an independent commitment to achieve at least a 20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990.

We also decided that a differentiated approach to the contributions of the Member States to these targets, that reflects fairness and transparency and taking into account national circumstances, is needed. The Commission and the Member States will work closely on an analysis of criteria to form the basis of further discussions, which will contribute to the formulation of individual commitments of the Member States, including Ireland.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the actions other EU Member States propose to use to utilise the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol to purchase carbon credits; if these mechanisms form a part of the climate change policies of those Member States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7493/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Government's designation of €270 million to purchase carbon credits will lead to a reduction in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, which have risen by 1.9% according to the latest EPA figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7475/07]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if other EU Members States have invested in the carbon allowance funds with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank in which Ireland invested recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7496/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the types of project which are supported in the developing world on foot of the carbon credits purchased by Ireland; the benefits to Ireland and to the developing world by pursuing this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7494/07]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount Ireland will have to spend on carbon emission trading to meet its international commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 120, 132, 157 and 213 together.

The Government has designated €270 million for the purchase of carbon allowances over the period 2007-2013. This sum is in addition to €20 million provided in my Department's Vote in 2006.

According to Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2006, published by the European Environment Agency, ten EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) have decided to use the flexible mechanisms to meet their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. Total financial resources of approximately €2,830 million have been allocated for the five-year Kyoto Protocol commitment period to meet a combined purchasing commitment of 552.5 million allowances for the period. This corresponds to about one third of the required emissions reduction of 8% for the EU-15.

In 2006, Ireland invested €20 million in Multilateral Carbon Credit Fund operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Five other EU Member States have invested in this fund; Belgium, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain and Sweden. Ireland has also signed agreements to invest €20 million in funds operated by the World Bank. As these funds have not yet been launched, I am not in a position at this time to say which other EU Member States may have invested in these funds.

The types of projects that are supported by funds operated by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank include:

renewable energy projects such as solar, biomass, wind, and geothermal initiatives.

energy efficiency projects that reduce consumption of fossil fuels.

recovery and use of methane from, for example, waste landfills and waste-water treatment.

switching to fuels with lesser greenhouse gas intensity, for example from coal to natural gas.

While the purchase of allowances by parties to the Kyoto Protocol does not lead to domestic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for those parties, the flexible mechanism facility in the Kyoto Protocol recognises the equivalence in impact of reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that take place anywhere in the world. The flexible mechanisms provide an essential nucleus for the development of a global carbon market and also promote the transfer of clean technology to developing countries.