Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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564. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with his European counterparts to ensure the Paris agreement will not be undermined in view of the uncertainty surrounding the new US administration and its scepticism regarding climate change; if Ireland will commit to its climate change targets; and his views on the possibility of sanctions to countries that do not commit to climate change targets. [5551/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held its 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris in 2015.  The major outcome of COP 21 was the agreement by over 180 countries to restrict the impact of emissions on global warming and to limit the temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an ambition of 1.5°C. 

The Paris Agreement will achieve its goals through a range of climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC’s), to be carried out by all Parties and which will ultimately tackle 95% of the world’s emissions. These NDC's are required to be ambitious, and to increase in ambition over time, in order to achieve the peaking of global greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible and to undertake rapid reductions thereafter.

The Paris Agreement depends on the efforts of all Parties to carry out ambitious climate action through their NDC's to achieve its objectives. It will rely on ambitious action by governments, business, civil society, local and regional governments, and individuals if it is to succeed in its goals.

The entry into force of the Paris Agreement required that 55% of Parties, representing 55% of global emissions, complete their ratification processes. On 4 November 2016 these thresholds had been passed, triggering its entry into force. The Agreement has now been ratified by 128 Parties, including Ireland the EU, with significant additional contributions to be made through the stated commitments by some of the larger parties, namely, China, India and the United States, all of whom have also ratified.  I am looking forward to continued and positive collaboration, as required, with colleagues at EU level and beyond, as we work collaboratively to advance the climate change agenda both nationally and globally. 

In terms of the national agenda, Ireland will contribute to the Paris Agreement through the EU NDC which commits to a reduction of at least 40% in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, and which will be met through reductions of 43% in the Emission Trading System (ETS) and 30% in the non-ETS sector compared with 2005 levels.  Proposals on both the ETS and non-ETS are currently under negotiation.

The Government fully committed to addressing climate change and is keenly aware of the extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with Ireland's EU and international commitments. In this regard, Ireland's National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015, provide the high-level policy direction and statutory authority for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050.  This must be done in a way that is technically feasible, cost-effective and fair.

The introduction of policies and measures planned as part of the development of Ireland's first National Mitigation Plan (NMP), which subject to Government approval will be published in June, will provide an important step in addressing these immediate challenges, while also helping to chart a path beyond 2020 and out to 2030.  I have recently published a briefing document on the development of the NMP which will help prepare the ground for the statutory consultation to follow in mid-March. It highlights some key questions to be considered in terms of how best to position Ireland in taking this important step towards achieving our national transition objectives by 2050.