Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, in light of a recent report (details supplied) on global methane emissions, he has any plans to seek to reduce the State’s methane emissions from dairy and beef herds or from the potential impact from the recently approved gas-fired emergency generators or any future LNG proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9968/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland will contribute to the reduction of methane emissions globally as outlined in Climate Action Plan 2023, in line with our national climate targets and the Global Methane Pledge. The Global Methane Pledge, agreed at COP26, involves over 100 countries contributing to a collective effort to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030, with 2020 as a baseline.

Ireland can impact on methane emissions domestically and internationally by adopting renewable energy sources, decreasing waste sent to landfill, and reducing methane emissions in our agriculture sector.

Fugitive methane emissions are released in the production and transportation of natural gas and oil. Our dependence on fossil fuels will fall considerably over the coming decade. As committed to in the 2023 Climate Action Plan, up to 80% of electricity will be generated using renewable energy by 2030, at which point we aim to have EVs constituting one third of our passenger car fleet. We are also targeting significant modal shift to EV buses and an expanded electrified rail service. Our demand for natural gas will be further curbed by ensuring our homes are more energy efficient with 2030 targets of 500,000 homes retrofitted, over 400,000 heat pumps installed in existing homes and district heating reaching 2.5TWh of energy demand.

Landfill waste also contributes to methane emissions. Ireland will reduce methane emissions from waste by sending less waste to landfill by 2030, reducing our waste overall, and adopting a more circular economic model which ensures products are renewable and reusable.

Our agriculture sector is the highest emitter of methane in our economy. The 2023 Climate Action Plan increases our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will on one hand improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing and on the other will encourage farmers to diversify into more sustainable sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane production. Additionally, a target has been set to reduce chemical nitrogen to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes by 2030. The actions outlined target a 10% overall emissions reduction by 2025 and a 25% overall emissions reduction by 2030.