Written answers

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that Ireland is ranked at the bottom of the list with regard to carbon dioxide emissions 118 by the World Economic Forum in its Travel and Competitiveness Report 2013; if he will outline his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16034/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Taken in isolation, this single criterion does not reflect Ireland’s actual performance in the report. Overall, Ireland is ranked 19th out of the 140 countries featured, an improvement of two places on our ranking in the 2011 report. Looking at other criteria in the current report, Ireland is placed 16th on stringency and 21th on enforcement of environmental regulation; 21st on the sustainability of travel and tourism industry development; and 9th on addressing particulate matter concentration (PM10 ). Ireland is also listed as one of just 12 countries which share the highest rating for the ratification of environmental treaties. In the body of the report, Ireland is referenced as among the top ten countries which demonstrate a significant focus on protecting the environment.

Given the size, location and population of the country, and the significance of the agriculture and food sectors within the overall economy, Ireland ha s a unique greenhouse gas emissions profile. It presents a major mitigation challenge which is being addressed in the context of the current Programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation.

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