Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Responsibility for monitoring Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions falls to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who prepare our national emissions inventories and projections allowing Government to assess progress towards decarbonisation targets across a range of sectors. As the Deputy is aware, our Programme for Government commits us to a 7% average annual emissions reduction and the new Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill will, critically, give effect to that commitment by establishing 5-year carbon budgets.

Emissions reductions in the transport sector in Ireland are being effected through:

- Significant investment in sustainable mobility - to increase capacity and enhance services in our public transport system as well as fostering more walking and cycling trips;

- Promoting a strong transition away from fossil fuels to lower emitting alternatives, both in public (bus, coach, taxi and rail vehicles) and private fleets (passenger and commercial); and

- Sustainably increasing the blend of biofuels in the conventional fuel mix.

Across the globe, decarbonising the transport sector is challenging, with decarbonisation efforts proving difficult and expensive. Growing travel demand often negates emission mitigation measures and concerns are emerging regarding the slower than anticipated pace of some technological advancements. Despite considerable efforts across all Member States, EU transport emissions are continuing to rise. Urgent, deep and widespread reform is needed as we work towards achieving the European Green Deal ambition of climate neutrality by 2050. In recognition of this, the EU has prioritised several climate-focused transport files to reduce transport’s dependence on fossil fuels, to make more alternative choices available, to reflect the environmental impact of transport, and ultimately help reduce emissions.

Over the coming months, my Department will actively engage at EU level on the development of these key files which include the review of CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, the recasting of the  Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, the development of the Euro 7 emissions standards, and consideration of extending Emissions Trading to the Aviation and Maritime sectors. Collectively these files will support more sustainable mobility and ultimately place Europe and Ireland on the right trajectory to achieve our long-term climate goals.