Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the policy implications of the ESRI's assessment of the embodied emissions in Irish imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62746/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I note the ESRI’s assessment of the embodied emissions in Irish imports. While Ireland’s climate policy primarily focuses on reducing production-based emissions in line with national greenhouse gas inventories, it also considers the wider impacts of climate policy. The forthcoming Climate Action Plan includes policies which will promote the circular economy, and shape public procurement and the use of resources in our economy. Other policies to target production-based emissions can also indirectly affect our carbon footprint, such as policies designed to stimulate demand for lower global warming potential construction materials. A well-established circular economy provides access to better designed products, which can be shared, reused, repaired, and remade thereby minimising the use of resources. This provides opportunities for local manufacture and remanufacture, supporting local jobs and services while minimising the impact on the quality of our water, air, soil and health. Achieving a circular economy therefore, plays an important part in reducing global carbon impact and protecting our natural resources, environment, and health. The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 is a key step in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. In addition, my Department is currently considering the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism proposals which seeks to reduce carbon leakage, enable a reduction in free allocations in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and incentivise emissions reductions in third countries. These measures will support Irish and EU industries facing carbon leakage, reducing the reallocation of emissions to third countries outside the EU ETS.