Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which each sector in the economy can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction over the next five years without negatively impacting on economic output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29042/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022.

On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emissions Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budgetary periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which was temporarily deferred. The Sectoral Emissions Ceilings set out the total amount of permitted greenhouse gas emissions that each sector of the economy can produce during a specific time period.

The latest update to Ireland's Climate Action Plan, Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), was published in December 2022, setting out how Ireland will accelerate the action required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.

CAP23 acknowledges that many of the actions required will be challenging — but the benefits will include warmer homes, cheaper electricity, better transport, vibrant and resilient communities, biodiversity-rich landscapes, improved health, new jobs and a thriving, green economy for current and future generations.

The Government's approach to climate action and ensuring our continued economic well-being is based on the principle of fairness, ensuring a just transition where costs and benefits are shared equitably

The next update to the Climate Action Plan is expected to be published in Q4 of 2023.