Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will take legislative action to close the policy gap by prohibiting SRM geoengineering, providing penalties and enforcement for violations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSolar radiation modification (SRM) is a term for a suite of emerging and as yet unproven technologies aimed at altering the heating power of the sun to mitigate global warming, rather than, or in addition to, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While modelling has indicated that SRM could potentially offset some climate change risks, it could also introduce a range of new risks including potential harm to the environment, climate and security.
Ireland’s climate policy is focused on emissions reduction and sequestration and is fully consistent with that of the EU where the primary focus is on achieving climate neutrality by no later than 2050 (Climate Law), the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (Fit for 55 legislative package), and adaptation to climate change (Adaptation Strategy).
To this end, the Government enacted the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, significantly strengthening the statutory framework for climate governance in Ireland. This framework requires the delivery of successive Climate Action Plans and Long-term Climate Strategies, supported by a system of carbon budgeting and sectoral emission ceilings to meet our 2030 and 2050 targets. It is supported by appropriate oversight by Government, the Oireachtas and the Climate Change Advisory Council, the latter having been established under the 2015 Act.
The most recent update to the Climate Action Plan, CAP 24, was published in December subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment, and a public consultation. The final version of this Plan will be brought before Cabinet shortly for final approval.
However, it can be expected that calls to develop and deploy some forms of solar radiation modification are likely to grow in the future, particularly where we experience temperature overshoot due to insufficient mitigation or where climate tipping points are reached. The IPCC indicates the risks (and/or benefits) of SRM are poorly understood and relevant rules, procedures and institutions or governance are weak or missing.
In that context the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission has been asked to provide recommendations to establish the EU position on solar radiation modification. The group’s report is due to issue by Quarter 3 this year and will form a valuable state of the art assessment to inform the development of the national and EU position on this evolving area.
