Written answers

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number in CO2 equivalents or other measure that corresponds to the commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce greenhouse gases by 7% per annum or 51% between 2021 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 - a 51% reduction over the decade - and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the latter being consistent with EU 2050 ambition. I have also supported increased climate ambition at EU level through the European Green Deal, while asserting the importance of cost-effectiveness and fairness across Member States in pursuit of increased ambition. On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. Under this legislation, the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council shall provide for a reduction of 51% in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the first two budget periods ending on 31 December 2030, from the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Agency. The legislation, which is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, is currently at second stage in the Dail and is a priority for Government.

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide all correspondence between his Department’s legal unit and the Climate Change Advisory Council in relation to the preparation of the first carbon budgets as committed to in the Programme for Government; the instructions and or advice his Department has given to the Council on the way to interpret the commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7% per annum on average between 2021 and 2030; if that is 51% less than the 2018 baseline figure or 51% avoided emissions compared with business as usual projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22747/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Change Advisory Council is an independent advisory body established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. It is tasked with assessing and advising on how Ireland is making the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. Thus the legal unit of the Department would not have a role in providing legal advice to the Climate Change Advisory Council.    

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, which is undergoing the second stage in Dail, defines the process for carbon budgeting, from which sectoral emissions ceilings for each sector will be determined. The Bill provides for carbon budgets to be proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council in a manner that is consistent with a range of criteria, including the Paris Agreement and the Programme for Government commitment to a 51% reduction in the annual level of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 relative to their levels in 2018, as reported by the EPA. From the adopted carbon budgets, the sectoral emissions ceilings, and the policies and measures to achieve these targets, will be developed and set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan. The first three 5-year carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings will be adopted during the course of 2021.

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