Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if studies are being carried out focusing on the changes to environmental factors due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the way in which Ireland may learn from these to improve policies aimed at tackling climate change. [4657/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The most recent report on Ireland's greenhouse gas emission projections by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in July 2020 did not reflect changes expected due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EPA are currently undertaking research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions over the year 2020. Results of this research are expected in the coming week. It is anticipated that greenhouse gas emissions will have reduced as a result of the pandemic.

This analysis will be available to my Department in the preparation of the 2021 iteration of the Climate Action Plan. This plan will provide a roadmap of actions, including sectoral actions, to meet the climate ambition set out in the Programme for Government. Actions and measures will be identified and agreed with relevant Departments through a collaborative and cross-sectoral approach to the development of the plan.

The Government is committed to addressing climate change and responding to the Covid-19 challenge as set out in the Programme for Government; I expect these commitments to be further addressed in the upcoming National Economic Plan and the review of the National Development Plan which is currently underway.