Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the evidence given by a person (details supplied) to the Joint Committee on Climate Action that a significant and sustained reduction in methane will have a greater impact in helping Ireland achieve the Paris Agreement targets than a comparable reduction in carbon dioxide. [35111/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet. To this end, we need to urgently take action and deliver ambitious and effective emission reduction measures in order to play our part, and remain on track to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, of balancing emissions and removals by the second half of the century and stabilising global temperatures. The IPCC 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C increased our understanding of global carbon budgets, consistent with holding the temperature rise to 1.5°C (or 2°C). In modelled pathways to limit global warming to 1.5°C, global CO2 emissions must reach net-zero by around 2050 and non-CO2 emissions, such as methane and nitrous oxide, must show deep reductions. It must be acknowledged that the IPCC findings provide targets and timelines for global averages with no one-size-fits-all for individual countries. The IPCC Special Report further elaborated on the distinguishing characteristics amongst different greenhouse gases which tells us that not all greenhouse gases are the same, and their individual characteristics will have different warming potential and impacts on the atmosphere.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill will enact a 2050 target and define the process for five-year carbon budgeting, including a strengthened role for the Climate Change Advisory Council who will develop and propose recommended carbon budgets to Government. While the Bill sets out the process for defining carbon budgets, it does not prescribe emission levels for each five-year carbon budget or for specific greenhouse gases.  Through their strengthened role, the Climate Change Advisory Council will propose carbon budgets to Government, who will consult with the Oireachtas.

The development of carbon budgets is an extremely complex process. Determining the best approach for Ireland will be underpinned by the best available climate science, and will require the use of detailed models to explore the implications of different pathways and policy interventions in an Irish context.

It is, therefore, premature to comment on the best approach for Ireland at this time. However, l look forward to considering timely advice of the Climate Change Advisory Council on these matters in due course.

The Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas and I welcome the active engagement of Committee Members and witnesses in this process.