Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department have identified carbon reduction targets for the transport and tourism sectors over the next four years; the extent to which he expects to achieve any such targets during the period in question; the extent to which possible benefit in terms of reduced liabilities under carbon trading in the context of any such progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8712/12]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There is no specific carbon reduction target for the transport sector but the sector has been contributing to reductions in emissions. The most recent EPA figures for greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector are for 2010, and these figures show that they have fallen from a peak of 14.33 million tonnes in 2007 to 11.76 million tonnes in 2010, representing a decrease of nearly 18%. A further decrease in emissions would be expected for 2011 and 2012.

Whilst much of this reduction in emissions can be attributed to the contraction of the economy, savings are also being made due to policies and measures such as mobility management schemes, and promoting modal shift to cycling. In particular the motor taxation and vehicle registration taxation rebalancing has encouraged the entry of more energy efficient new cars to the fleet, leading to significant reductions in the associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond 2012, when the current commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol expires, the binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets which Ireland must meet under EU law relate to the period 2013-2020. Overall, the level of mitigation to be achieved by 2020 equates approximately to 20% below 2005 levels the achievement of which will represent a major challenge. Ireland's 2020 carbon reduction target is set across economic sectors. Identifying a sectoral target for transport runs counter to the principle of making the least cost carbon reductions across the economy.

An assessment of least-cost, effective, additional measures across all sectors including transport in response

to GHG emissions targets is currently being carried out by the NESC Secretariat.