Written answers

Wednesday, 2 June 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Climate Change Policy

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to secure EU agreement to secure a split national target by 2050 for greenhouse gases with a separate, longer target for biogenic methane as outlined by the Climate Change Advisory Council Annual Review 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30206/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In their Annual Review 2020, the Climate Change Advisory Council recommends that the Government should support efforts to ensure consistency between reporting and accounting rules and the objectives of the Paris Agreement and to engage constructively in the negotiations on the proposed revision of the EU’s 2030 effort-sharing targets. In addition, the review recommended that in the longer term, the Government should seek to engage with its EU partners on the validity of a separate target for biogenic methane.

With the 2030 Climate Target Plan and EU Climate Law, the EU will raise its ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. This is a substantial increase compared to the existing 40% emissions reduction target. The Commission is preparing to present, by July 2021, an overhaul of all relevant climate legislation as part of a “Fit for 55 Package” to align with the newly proposed target.

Ireland fully supports the enhanced ambition at EU level. It is consistent with the national approach, as the Programme for Government commits to achieve net zero emissions by no later than 2050 and a 51% emissions reduction by 2030.

Ireland has agreed with other Member States that the Commission should swiftly put forward its legislative package, together with an in-depth examination of the environmental, economic and social impact at Member State level. It will be important that the updated EU 2030 target of at least 55% is delivered collectively by the EU in the most cost-effective manner possible, balancing considerations of fairness, cost effectiveness and solidarity, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

With respect to the longer term, the new EU Climate Law lists a number of considerations the Commission must take into account when proposing the Unions 2040 Climate Target. In doing so, the Commission must consider, amongst other matters “the best available and most recent scientific evidence, including the latest reports of the IPCC and the Advisory Board”. This process will commence at the latest within six months of the first global stocktake referred to in the Paris Agreement, which will take place in 2023. Ireland will engage with the Commission as appropriate.​

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a report (details supplied) on the cost of decarbonisation up to 2050 will be published; if he will ensure its publication in advance of the passage of the climate Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30207/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill sets out our national economy-wide climate targets for 2030 and 2050, and the process for setting carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. It does not specify economy-wide or sectoral carbon budgets, and does not present options in relation to decarbonisation.

Once the Climate Change Advisory Council proposes carbons budgets, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications must bring a recommendation to Government and the Oireachtas in relation to the carbon budget programme and sectoral ceilings, which will ultimately find expression in the Climate Action Plan 2021. Analysis is still ongoing and, once completed, it can be published alongside the Plan.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recent Fiscal Advisory Council report which highlights the lack of details on cost and challenges in achieving Ireland’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30208/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government recognises that the next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet, and 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. While this will be challenging, it will lead to improvements in our health, welfare and security.

The level of change envisaged cannot be avoided, with the evidence for warming of our climate system and its destructive impact now beyond dispute. The EU recognises this, and aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and 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.

In terms of the costs and challenges of a transformation of this scale, it is not possible to detail them all out to 2050. In fact the Programme for Government recognises that we are not yet in a position to identify all the emerging technologies, changing scientific consensus or policies to meet our full ambition. It is also recognised that the taxpayer cannot compensate for all the actions that have to be taken, and that it is essential the burdens borne are seen to be fair and that every group makes an appropriate level of effort.

The 2021 Climate Action Plan, which will give effect to the Programme for Government step-up in climate ambition, is to be completed this Summer. It will seek to identify the least cost pathways that minimise the burdens and maximise the opportunities of the transition to 2030 and beyond, including an estimation of overall economy-wide investment requirements. In parallel, the review of the National Development Plan is being completed to ensure that Exchequer capital investment aligns the acceleration in decarbonisation now required.

Public investment over the next decade on climate action will be set out in the review of the NDP which is well underway.  The Programme for  Government also commits to the allocation of carbon tax revenues to climate action. The national Economic Recovery Plan and the Recovery and Resilience Plan published by Government on 1 June have climate and green investments as core pillars. In addition, the EU’s €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery package and €1 trillion budget require that money can only be spent on projects that meet certain green criteria, with 30% of all funding to go on climate change mitigation.

It is also the case that failure to rapidly make the investments to move to a carbon-neutral economic model will have far reaching negative impacts on the economy and the public finances; undermine the long-term, sustainable competitiveness of the economy; and lock Ireland into a redundant fossil-fuel based economic model. Embracing the transition will support further job creation through the development of new and emerging sectors. The green economy, including the retrofitting and renewable energy sector, the circular economy, clean mobility, green and blue infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and the bio-economy will create high quality employment opportunities that will be a source of significant employment growth over the coming decades, as well as supporting a stable tax base.

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