Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will amend the climate action Bill to a binding target of net zero by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35107/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Science tells us 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 Programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 (a 51% reduction over the decade), and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This level of ambition is consistent with the approach set out at EU level which also aims to be climate neutral by 2050, and achieve at least 55% reduction in emissions by 2030.

Our increased ambition is underpinned by the core philosophy of a Just Transition and what is achievable through a fair and balanced approach. We are committed to ensuring that no sector of society is left behind in the movement to a low-carbon future. This step-change in ambition will be challenging and require fundamental changes in so many parts of Irish life, but I believe that Ireland can and will rise to this challenge. New strategies will be needed with additional policy attention across multiple sectors to sustain an emissions reduction trajectory that will increase over the decade and beyond.

A key aspect of delivering on this commitment will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill into law. The Bill provides for a strengthened statutory governance framework. This includes enacting a 2050 climate neutrality objective into law, and defining a process for five year carbon budgets, including sectoral decarbonisation targets ensuring every sector contributes to achieving the 2050 objective.

Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action that is both ambitious, but also achievable and will improve the health, welfare and security of all our people.

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.