Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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652. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to request lower emission reduction targets than those of our European Union counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36284/15]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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655. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding lower emission reduction targets for 2030 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36332/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 655 together.

In October 2014, the European Council agreed on the 2030 climate and energy policy framework for the European Union. The European Council endorsed a binding EU target of an at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. The target will be delivered collectively by the EU in the most cost-effective manner possible, with the reductions in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and non-ETS sectors amounting to 43% and 30% by 2030 compared to 2005, respectively.

All Member States within the Union will participate in this effort, balancing considerations of fairness and solidarity. Whilst Member State targets for 2030 are yet to be agreed, it is known that targets will be in the range of a 0% to 40% reduction relative to 2005, and that targets for Member States whose GDP per capita are above average should be adjusted to reflect cost effectiveness in a fair and balanced manner. A Commission proposal on this matter is expected towards the end of the second quarter of 2016.