Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he continues to liaise with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure that climate emission reduction requirements are met alongside agri-food objectives, thereby protecting a major national industry of food production, together with the need to observe best practice in emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development 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 2022, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which was to be determined later. For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emission reduction target by 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target by 2030.

Climate Action Plan 2023 has outlined how these emission reductions can be achieved in the coming years. Through collaboration between my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Climate Action Plan 2023 increases our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also heavily 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. Targets include expanding the organic sector to 450.000 hectares, growing the tillage sector to 400,000 hectares and construction of up to 200 anaerobic digestion plants. It will also reduce our use of chemical fertilizer use to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes by 2030. The actions outlined target a 10% emissions reduction by 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction by 2030 as per the Carbon Budgets and Sectoral Emission Ceilings.

In the meantime, my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our carbon emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our agriculture sector while ensuring our food security, is also a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our agricultural industry will fully adapt to the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the degree to which this country continues to meet its various obligations in respect of the attainment of emission targets along with other countries throughout the EU; whether Ireland is being particularly targeted, given the sparse and specific emissions from heavy industry in this country; how the efforts here compare with those in other countries, with particular reference to sensitive production areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42074/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Ireland contributes collectively with other EU Member States to the commitments under the Paris Agreement and to the legally binding, EU-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 as set by the European Climate Law. The EU, in its approach to decarbonising, has split GHG emissions into two regimes:

• The Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a European-wide “cap and trade”carbon market scheme for major polluters that establishes direct targetsfor high-emitting bodies. Emissions from electricity generation and largeindustry in the ETS are subject to an EU-wide emissions reduction targetof 62% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels.
• The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets out Member States’ individualcontributions from non-ETS sectors. Ireland’s target under the ESR is toreduce non-ETS emissions by 42% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

Ireland’s climate objectives, as legislated for in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, and our domestic 2030 target, as set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, are fully aligned with our international and European climate obligations.

The Department of Taoiseach’s quarterly progress reports track the implementation of actions identified in the Climate Action Plan. The latest report shows an overall implementation rate of 72% in 2023. Progress has been made across six high-impact sectors from transport to industry which demonstrates that we have the capacity to deliver the changes that are needed.

At EU level, the European Commission’sClimate Action Progress Report 2023and the European Environment Agency’sTrends and Projections in Europe Report 2023will both be published in October. These reports will present the EU and individual Member States’ progress towards their respective climate targets and will allow us to develop a more comprehensive assessment of Ireland’s efforts and performance, relative to our European partners.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he remains satisfied that conversion to modern manufacturing methods in this country is sufficient to ensure achievements in terms of emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42075/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Sectoral Emission Ceiling for the industry sector requires emissions reductions of 35% by 2030. The Climate Action Plan sets out a pathway for achieving the required industry emissions reductions. The key measures include increased use of carbon-neutral heating, energy efficiency, increased use of zero-emissions gases, and reducing embodied carbon in construction materials produced and used in Ireland. Responsibility for achieving the sectoral ceiling for the industry sector lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The adoption of modern manufacturing methods (MMC) is included within the scope of these measures. The adoption of modern methods of construction has the potential to dramatically improve construction sector productivity and sustainability which in turn will lead to a reduction in emissions for the construction sector. To promote the widespread adoption of MMC, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading a cross-Department and cross-Agency MMC Leadership and Integration Group. MCC will contribute to more efficient use of material and will be part of the industry measure to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials.