Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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1026. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding climate change, the national policy position and definition of low-carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21309/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Preparatory work is well underway in developing Ireland’s first National Mitigation Plan (NMP) in anticipation of the enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015. Development of the NMP is being guided by a long-term vision of low-carbon transition which is based on the following ambition as set out in the National Policy Position, published in April 2014:

- an aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors, and

- in parallel, an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.

In developing the NMP, it will be important to consider the annual calculations concerned in respect of emissions reductions over the long term and to assess what is the optimum methodology for doing so. In accordance with the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015, I must also, together with my colleagues in Government, take account of the need to achieve the objectives of the NMP at the least cost to the national economy and adopt measures that are cost-effective. The NMP will therefore have a strong focus on mapping out the least-cost pathway to achieve the ambition levels set out in the National Policy Positionand our obligations under the EU’s 2009 Effort Sharing Decision.

In this context, during 2013, my Department commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Environmental Research Unit of University College Cork (UCC) to provide technical advice and guidance on the development of a low carbon roadmap for Ireland, with the aim of achieving transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy in the period up to and including the year 2050. The UCC/ESRI work focussed on delivering least-cost pathways to two possible interpretations of the long-term transition objective. These were 80% and 95% reductions of the aggregated carbon dioxide emissions for three of the key sectors specified in the National Policy Position, i.e. electricity generation, transport and built environment sectors. This analysis has provided important input to the preparatory work already underway in the context of developing the NMP.

Delayed emissions reductions are detrimental to the environment as environmental damage must be considered in the context of emissions over time, rather than emissions at a point in time. For this reason, it is imperative that early, cost-effective action is taken and the NMP plan is being developed on this basis in line with provisions in relation to early action set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015.

As a party to the UNFCCC, Ireland fully intends to comply with its international obligations. The Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Bill 2015is unequivocal on compliance with obligations of the State under existing and future international agreements to which the State becomes a party.