Written answers

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

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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10. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide a list of reports used and consultants availed of in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings broken down by the reports used for each sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36368/22]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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11. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish all the modelling and economic analyses used in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/22]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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13. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide a list of reports used and consultants availed of in the preparation of the sectoral emission ceiling for transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 11 and 13 together.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and achieving net zero emissions by no later than 2050. The Act also significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, including the establishment of a system of carbon budgeting, with sector-specific emission ceilings operating within the five-year carbon budget periods.

The process to prepare and deliver the sectoral emissions ceilings for Government approval is currently ongoing. This process involves extensive engagement at various levels with all relevant Departments and Agencies. This process is also informed by research and analysis provided by members of the Climate Action Modelling Group, as well as external technical support service providers.

As the preparation of the sectoral ceilings is still being ongoing, it is not possible at this stage to provide a complete list of all reports used and consultants availed of as part of the process.

Once the process is completed, analysis used to prepare the ceilings can be published.

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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12. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish a report (details supplied) on the estimated cost of decarbonisation up to 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36370/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department contracted technical support and input from a range of bodies and organisations to support and inform the preparation of a Long Term Climate Action Strategy (LTS) in 2019, in line with the then climate ambition set out in Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. This included analysis on potential decarbonisation pathways. However, with the Programme for Government commitment to substantially increase our climate ambition, including our 2050 objective, submission of Ireland’s draft LTS to the European Commission was paused to ensure it fully aligned with our enhanced climate ambition.

While preparing the LTS, we are ensuring that the ambition aligns with our recently legislated for national climate targets, as well as making a strong contribution to the overall EU ambition of achieving climate neutrality no later than 2050, and achieving an interim reduction in overall EU greenhouse gas emissions of 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Similarly, the LTS will support our commitment to the international objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels, as established under the Paris Climate Agreement, and reaffirmed in the Glasgow Climate Pact.

As the process to finalise Ireland’s LTS is continuing, analysis, including reports from consultants, is still ongoing and, once completed, it can be published.

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide a list of stakeholders he met during the preparation of the sectoral emission ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36374/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Act also significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, including the establishment of a system of carbon budgeting, with sector-specific emission ceilings operating within the five-year carbon budget periods.

Under Section 6C(3) of the Act, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications shall, when preparing a sectoral emissions ceiling, consult with such Ministers of the Government as he or she considers appropriate.

The process to prepare the sectoral emissions ceilings for Government approval is currently ongoing. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage of the process to provide a complete list of all stakeholders I have met as part of the preparation of these ceilings.

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