Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 71: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the International Energy Agency's report Transport, Energy and C02: Moving Toward Sustainability; his views on whether the report has implications for sustainable transport planning here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45890/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have considered the IEA report Transport, Energy and CO2 and its recommendations.

The report sets out pathways for emissions reduction from the global transport sector by 2050. Its recommendations are similar to the policy measures I have put forward in the government policy Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport System for Ireland which I launched in February this year.

The IEA report highlights that CO2 savings of up to 40% on 2005 levels can be made by 2050 with a combination of energy efficiency measures, use of alternative, low carbon fuels, deployment of electric vehicles, and modal shift. Smarter Travel addresses each of these policy areas and proposes a target for reducing emissions from transport by between 4-8MT C02 by 2020.

Good progress is being made on delivering the Smarter Travel programme. This Government is negotiating strongly in the EU for tougher limits on CO2 emissions from cars and light duty vehicles. We have also introduced a new taxation system that incentivises the purchase of more energy efficient cars. My colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has recently announced that bio-fuels will make up 4% of transport fuel in 2010. My officials are leading on a number of objectives that will reduce the need to travel by car, and encourage people to switch to more sustainable travel patterns, walking, cycling or using public transport. A number of Smarter Travel project, including better cycle facilities, workplace travel plans, and school travel plans are already being delivered. The first Smarter Travel Areas will be launched in 2010, and these will showcase the potential we have in Ireland for moving to a more sustainable transport system and significantly reducing our emissions from transport.