Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland is committed to concerted global action to address the climate crisis and engages in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement through its membership of the European Union (EU).  

Ireland has actively engaged with its EU partners in preparation for the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP26) in Glasgow, which takes place from 31 October to 12 November 2021.  The EU’s official position for the COP will be finalised at the Environment Council in October which I will attend.  This follows extensive preparatory discussions by officials at the EU Working Party on International Environment issues which have been led by my Department with a number of other Departments and Agencies actively participating in the its Expert and Issues sub-Groups. As the official EU position paper guides Member States’ engagement at the COP, it is drafted through these Groups in order to reach common understanding and shared opinions on core issues for negotiation prior to political sign-off at EU Ministerial level. Members of the National Climate Delegation, which consists of relevant Government Departments and Agencies, continue to attend a number of virtual UNFCCC meetings in the run-up to COP26. These include active participation in the annual UNFCCC subsidiary bodies sessions (31 May- 17 June this year), and regular informal consultations and workshops on key issues.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress of the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44144/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Reporting and publication of progress under the Climate Action Plan 2019 and the subsequent Interim Climate Action Plan 2021 is carried out by the Department of the Taoiseach. The most recently published quarterly progress report on the Interim Climate Actions, which continues the reporting of the Climate Action Plan 2019, shows an average delivery rate of approximately 78%. The reports can be found here www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/. The Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy no later than the end of 2050 in line with EU ambitions.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act significantly strengthens the overarching climate governance framework, places into law the aforementioned national climate objectives, and embeds a process of carbon budgeting, including sectoral emission ceilings. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.

The  Climate Action Plan 2021 is being finalised and will be published shortly. As provided for under the Act, future Action Plans will provide an opportunity to set out actions, as necessary, to ensure compliance with sectoral targets.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which progress is being made towards achieving climate action targets as set out; the degree to which efforts continue to be made to encourage full participation in achieving such targets while at the same time ensuring the continuation of the agri-food sector which in the past has proven to be the main stay of the economy; if efforts continue to be made to ensure that hedgerows, boglands and Ireland’s existing natural sequesters of carbons are fully included in climate change alleviation calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44155/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The most recent quarterly progress report on the Climate Action Plan 2019 - including new Interim Climate Actions - shows an average delivery rate of 78%. These quarterly reports, which are available on the government website, are compiled and published by the Department of the Taoiseach. The development of 2021 Climate Action Plan is well underway. As with the 2019 Climate Action Plan, the new plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including actions with specific timelines and steps needed to achieve each action, assigning clear lines of responsibility for delivery. The Government’s climate objectives for 2030 and 2050 are consistent with the need to maximise employment, maintain the attractiveness of the State for investment, and ensure the long term competitiveness of the economy.

It is appreciated that it will be a challenge for the agri-food sector to achieve carbon neutrality while maintaining its capacity for sustainable food production. The Government is committed to finding the balance between environmental, climate and biodiversity needs, and supports for farmers. With the correct policy choices in the agriculture sector, we can reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes.

The specific measures and actions to deliver emissions reductions while ensuring a sustainable agriculture sector will be set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan. The accounting treatment of various emissions and removals, including from land use, land use change and forestry, will also be addressed.