Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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663. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider the points made in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13118/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In response to the scientific advice from the Inter - Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the European Council has concluded that greenhouse gas emission s from developed countries as a whole must be reduced by 8 0-95% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. EU commitment to an effective, long-term globa l response to climate change is evident in the Climate and Energy Package adopte d in December 2008 , the Communication s from the Commission on A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050 , and A policy framework for climate a nd energy in the period from 202 0 to 2030. Ireland has consistentl y supported EU pro-activity and leadership on climate policy, both in relation to framing the internal agenda and to the positive influence which the EU seeks to bring to the w ider international agenda under the UNFCCC.

The programme for the development of national climate policy and legislation which I issued in January 2012 is the process under which national greenhouse gas mitigation policy and climate change adaptation policy are being progressed. In addition to the comprehensive open consultation undertaken by my Department in 2012, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht facilitated a round of stakeholder engagement on climate policy analysis undertaken by the Secretariat to the National Social and Economic Council and the outline Heads of the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill , both of which I released in February 2013. I am now considering the Joint Committee’s report, as well as a range of other issues, in the context of finalising the draft Heads of the Bill. Subject to the approval of Government, my intention is to publish the final Heads before Easter 2014.

In anticipation of the planned primary legislation, a National Low-Carbon Roadmap to 2050 is now being developed. At present, Departments with responsibility for the key sectors in the national transition agenda are currently preparing the sectoral elements for incorporation into the national roadmap. The key sectors are electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture. I intend to release the first draft of the 2050 National Low-Carbon Roadmap, together with a draft Strategic Environment Assessment, for a substantial period of open consultation later this year.

In parallel to the mitigation agenda, the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, which I issued in December 2012, provides for the development and implementation of sectoral and local adaptation action plans which will form part of a comprehensive national response to the impacts of climate change. Under the framework, sectoral plans will be developed by the relevant Government Department or Agency and adopted by the relevant nister. Draft sectoral plans are due to be published by mid-2014, and details of the lead Departments and Agencies are set out in section 4 of the Framework. Local adaptation action planning will be undertaken by local authorities through the spatial planning process, with full engagement of key stakeholders, which provides an established means through which to implement and integrate climate change objectives, including adaptation, at local level.