Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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164. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason his Department previously advised that commercial semi-State bodies are not obligated to report on information relating to the calculation and recording of the carbon emissions associated with every flight taken by such bodies; the value of every tonne of carbon emission that such air travel gives rise to at the prevailing rate of the carbon tax; the data related to amounts to be paid equivalent to the emissions impact of their official air travel in the previous year into the Government’s climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8412/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular 01/2020 on Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel introduced mandatory new procedures for all Government Departments and Offices for offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions associated with official air travel. The circular came into effect at the beginning of 2020 and requires Departments and Offices to account for the emissions associated with official air travel and to make an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund associated with these emissions. The circular does not directly apply to public sector bodies other than central Government Departments and Offices.

In relation to the Commercial Semi-State Sector, the Government approved a new Climate Action Framework for the sector on 27 July 2022. The Framework sets out the exemplar role that Government expects these organisations to play in achieving Ireland’s statutory National Climate Objective, while also recognising their need for commercial independence. It sets out five commitments addressing:

- Governance of Climate Action Objectives;

- Emissions Measurement and Reduction;

- Emissions Valuation in Investment Appraisal;

- Circular Economy and Green Procurement;

- Climate-Related Disclosures.

The Framework was published by Government in August 2022 and it can be accessed online at www.gov.ie/en/publication/337b6-public-sector-climate-action-mandate/.

On foot of the Government Decision, I requested individual shareholding Ministers to update the Shareholder Letters of Expectation issued to each company under their aegis at the earliest possible opportunity to take account of the Framework.

NewERA will monitor the implementation of the commitments in the Framework and report regularly to my Department on its implementation, in line with the 2023 Climate Action Plan.

The secondment commitment under the Framework requires Commercial Semi-State organisations to measure and record their greenhouse gas emissions as per the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) methodology for measurement and reporting of public sector energy efficiency performance. This includes fossil fuel consumption associated with electricity, heating and transport needs. Under the Framework Commercial Semi-State organisations will adopt the 2030 public sector energy and emissions reduction targets set out in the Climate Action Plan and model a pathway to meet those targets. Progress towards the targets will be measured in line with SEAI methodology and reported to SEAI.

A separate Public Sector Climate Action Mandate applies to all bodies covered by the Climate Action Plan public sector decarbonisation targets, except for Local Authorities, Commercial Semi-State Bodies (which are addressed by the Framework), and the School Sector. The Mandate provides for the following commitments in relation to transport:

- Promote the use of bicycles (including push bikes, electric bikes, and cargo bikes) and shared mobility options as an alternative to car use among employees and visitors by creating and maintaining facilities (both inside and outside of buildings) that support such options, including secure and accessible bicycle parking, shared mobility parking, and charging stations, as appropriate, with a view to achieving the Smarter Travel Mark, which is currently being developed as part of the Sustainable Mobility Pathfinder Programme;

- Phase out the use of parking in buildings that have access to a range of public transport services and active/shared mobility options for the majority of staff/visitors while providing that sufficient accessible parking is maintained for those with physical mobility issues;

- Procure (purchase or lease) only zero-emission vehicles from the end of 2022, enabling Ireland to go beyond the requirements of the EU Directive, amending Directive 2009/33/EC on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (EU Directive 2019/1161, the Clean Vehicle Directive) and act as an international leader in this area. An exception applies where the vehicle is exempt under European Communities (Clean and Energy-Efficient Road Transport Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations (S.I. 381 of 2021)22. Public sector procurement contracts for delivery and haulage should specify zero emissions vehicles where possible.