Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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137. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the vote by the European Parliament to update the EU climate target for 2030, backing a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade up from 40% currently; if legislation will be introduced here in line with this new ambition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The European Commission presented its plan in September 2020 to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels based on a comprehensive impact assessment. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that both the 2030 and 2050 targets will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. As part of this process, the EU Parliament and Council were invited to confirm this at least 55% 2030 target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. Ireland has welcomed the European Green Deal and fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level. The Programme for Government has a Green New Deal for Ireland as a core mission. It commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the latter being consistent with EU 2050 ambition. Adjusting to allow for comparison against a common base year, the Programme for Government ambition is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 55% and 60%. However, it should be noted that the precise split between ETS and non-ETS following the European Green Deal is uncertain. It is possible that further sectors will be added to the ETS and that the relative effort of ETS and non-ETS sectors will change. Accounting systems for greenhouse gas emissions reduction will also evolve over time.

Overall, it would be important that any further increase in EU ambition is decided on in solidarity with all Member States, ensuring that no one is left behind. Domestically, my immediate focus is to drive action to close Ireland's implementation gap, and ensure that our Programme for Government commitments are fully delivered.