Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received any early indications of the trend in emissions during 2022 and the factors influencing those trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62747/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While full and final emissions data for 2022 is not yet available, recent reports of provisional data from the EPA have indicated that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.7% in 2021 compared to 2020 and are now 1.1% above 2019 pre-COVID restriction levels. While models for projected emissions are unable to take into account all policies and measures which were committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2021, the EPA’s reporting provides us with a strong reminder of the challenges Ireland faces as we seek to meet our ambitious, yet necessary, climate objectives and emissions targets.Notwithstanding the anticipated increase in emissions in 2021 as the country emerged from the most severe Covid-19 restrictions, we must consider how to accelerate the measures and actions that will not only reduce our emissions, but will also support new ways of conducting business and encouraging innovation. To reverse the current trajectory of emissions and meet our 2030 and 2050 targets, a significant shift is required in the speed at which we implement the policies, measures and actions that will decarbonise our economy and improve our indigenous supply of sustainable and renewable energy.The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, significantly strengthens the legally binding framework for climate governance in Ireland, and the recently approved sectoral emissions ceilings set out a clear pathway for meeting our carbon budgets and Ireland’s commitment to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030. These ceilings will be reflected in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which is due to be published by the end of this year. CAP23 builds on the 2021 Plan and will set out the policies, measures and actions needed to keep us within our carbon budgets and on the pathway to a net zero-emissions economy by no later than 2050. The process to deliver this new Climate Action Plan has included my Department engaging with other Government Departments, State Agencies and civil society to identify opportunities for accelerating climate action.