Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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59. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2918/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation 2018 sets out the process for the preparation and submission of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The NECP was approved by Government in July 2020 and formally submitted to the European Commission on 4 August 2020.

The NECP incorporates the goals and additional policies identified by the last Government as part of the Climate Action Plan and does not reflect our increased ambition under the Programme for Government.

The Programme for Government 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. This represents a cumulative 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the decade compared to the 30% baseline under the NECP and is consistent with the approach set out at EU level which also aims to be climate neutral by 2050. The European Council has agreed, at its meeting in December 2020, to increase the EU's 2030 target to reduce emissions by at least 55% relative to 1990 levels. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States, including Ireland. Ireland fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level to increase the EU 2030 target to at least 55% emissions.