Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being considered to support investment and growth in the green economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25690/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government recognises that significant investment will be required over the next decade to support the achievement of our climate targets. To support this increased investment, an estimated €9.5 billion will be raised, with revenues ring-fenced, over the decade through annual increases in the rate of carbon tax. My Department is currently preparing a new Climate Action Plan which will set out the policy changes required across every sector to achieve the Programme for Government target of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and that set us on the path of systemic change that is required for Ireland to become a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society and economy no later than 2050.  In parallel, the Government is currently reviewing the National Development Plan, which will ensure that the State’s public investment framework, as well as individual capital investment programmes, is aligned with our climate ambition for the next decade.

To support the achievement of Climate Action Plan and Programme for Government targets, I have made substantial additional funding available in 2021, with €221.5 million provided for SEAI residential and community retrofit programmes. This represents an 82% increase on the 2020 allocation and is the largest annual amount ever made available for these schemes.  This allocation has facilitated the expansion and improvement of existing SEAI grant schemes and the introduction of new initiatives.  

In addition, the Climate Action Fund, which was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets, will invest at least €500 million over the period to 2027.   Almost €185 million has been committed to projects to date.  

My Department is currently developing proposals to provide further support from the Climate Action Fund through a community climate action programme. The design of this programme will be informed by feedback received through the climate consultation that is currently underway and open until 18 May. Information on the types of projects that may be supported, who may apply for this support, and the application process, will be published on my Department’s website when the programme is launched shortly.

In advance of the finalisation of this programme, Creative Ireland, in collaboration with my Department, has launched Creative Climate Action, a competitive fund of up to €2 million supported by the Climate Action Fund and the Creative Ireland Programme.  The fund will support creative and cultural projects up to the end of 2022, connecting people with the profound changes that are happening in our environment, society and economy arising from climate change, with the objective of transforming that connection into behaviour change and climate action. Further information is available at the Creative Ireland website: www.creativeireland.gov.ie

My Department also provides funding to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Green Enterprise Programme, a flagship initiative of the National Waste Prevention Programme (NWPP). The Green Enterprise Programme aims to develop innovative practical applications and solutions (in new/altered products, processes, services or solutions) that prevent waste and stimulate the circular economy.  Funding is provided to projects in the areas of resource efficiency, clean technology, engagement, and behaviour change - from research stage to demonstration and commercial (or community) application. The EPA currently has plans to hold a 2021 call for Green Enterprise projects to be launched in the coming weeks and has allocated €625,000 to new Green Enterprise projects, which includes €250,000 to meet expected commitments arising in 2021, with the remainder (€375,000) for commitments arising in future years.  Depending on the response to the 2021 call, this funding envelope should support approximately 7 to 10 new projects.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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196. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of Ireland’s Nationally Determined Contribution to the EU as part of the Paris Climate Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25691/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The EU and its Member States, acting jointly, submitted an updated NDC on 17 December 2020, which confirmed commitment to a binding target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that both the 2030 and 2050 targets will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. 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 reduction as set out in the Commission’s EU 2030 Climate Target Plan, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, Ireland is one of 12 countries who have signed a joint statement ahead of the European Council in October on strengthening EU climate ambition and agreeing on increasing the 2030 climate target to “at least 55 percent” this year.

The Programme for Government sets out significant increased climate ambition for Ireland, committing to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the latter being consistent with the EU 2050 ambition. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will set out, on an economy-wide basis, how the 2030 ambition in the Programme for Government might be achieved. The Plan will also need to ensure that Ireland  meets its contribution to any increased ambition in a revised Effort Sharing Regulation, the EU framework which sets Member States’ emissions reduction targets for 2030.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the engagement his Department has had within the EU with regard to emissions trading schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25692/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) operates in all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It limits emissions from more than 11,000 heavy energy-using installations (power stations and large industrial plants), and airlines operating between these countries, covering approximately 45% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. Over 100 stationary installations and 15 aircraft operators currently come within the system in Ireland. The Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority for implementation of the ETS in Ireland. The ETS is currently designed to deliver a reduction of 43% of emissions on an EU-wide basis by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The European Commission is currently preparing legislative proposals to amend the ETS, as part of a suite of measures to ensure the EU meets its increased ambition to reduce overall emissions by at least 55% by 2030 versus 1990 levels.  

The Commission is expected to publish their proposed revisions to the legislation as part of their 'Fit for 55' Package, which is expected this summer. Ireland will need to consider these proposals once launched and work with the Council Presidency and other Member States to form an agreed Council position.

Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures being taken to ensure existing infrastructure is being adapted so as to be climate resilient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25693/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government has a comprehensive policy response in place to ensure that Ireland can respond effectively to the locked-in effects of Climate Change.As required in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the cornerstone of this policy is the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) which my Department published in January 2018.The NAF establishes the context which ensures that Departments, key sectors, and Local Authorities can assess the risks and vulnerabilities of climate change, and effectively implement climate resilience actions.The NAF identified critical infrastructure as one of 4 key thematic areas for action.  In October 2019, following Government approval, Departments with responsibility for 12 priority sectors published sectoral adaptation plans. Plans related to critical infrastructure have been prepared covering Transport Infrastructure, Electricity and Gas Networks, and Communications Networks.  Other infrastructure relevant plans prepared under other thematic areas in the NAF include Flood Risk Management and Water Services Infrastructure. The Plans are available at:

At the same time, each of the 31 Local Authorities also published Local Adaptation Strategies which are now at implementation stage.

My Department collaborates with other Departments, State Agencies, Climate Action Regional Offices and Local Authorities on Climate Adaptation policy through regular meetings of the National Adaptation Steering Committee (NASC).  Implementation of sectoral plans and local strategies is monitored via the NASC.