Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of submissions received as part of the public consultation process on carbon budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9385/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Carbon budgets are a key component of the new climate governance arrangements set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act, which was signed into law in July 2021, commits Ireland to reach a legally-binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 (the “National Climate Objective”), and to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The carbon budget programme (2021-2025; 2026-2030; and 2031-2035 [provisional]) will, once adopted, determine the level of greenhouse gases that may be emitted in Ireland in each given five-year carbon budget period and will be consistent with furthering the achievement of the national climate objective.

Under the Act, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) is tasked with preparing a proposed carbon budget programme based on the most up to date scientific evidence and analysis, and then presenting its proposal to the Minister. The CCAC submitted its first proposed programme of three consecutive carbon budgets to the Minister on 25 October 2021.

Before making recommendations to Government, the Minister launched a public consultation on the CCAC’s proposed carbon budget programme. The consultation opened on 22 December 2021 and closed on 8 February 2022.

In total 148 submissions have been received, comprising 117 from individuals and 31 from organisations.