Vol. 399 No. 5
6 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment whether the EC Presidency was represented at the recent Bergen Conference on the Brundtland Report prepared for the UN World Commission on the Environment and Development; and, if so, the representative.
10 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has set a national target for Ireland in relation to emissions of carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment if the Government were represented at the recent conference of European Environment Ministers in Bergen, Norway; and if this country has committed itself to an agreement to stabilise emissions of carbon dioxide by the year 2000.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 10 and 13 together.
The EC Presidency and Ireland were represented at the Bergen Conference. During the working sessions in the first week, two senior officials from my Department and one from the Department of Energy represented both the Presidency and Ireland. During the ministerial session in the second week, I attended in my dual capacities as President of the EC Environment Council and Irish Minister for the Environment. In fact, I had the honour of being elected as one of the four vice-presidents of the conference and chaired some of the discussions.
As regards CO 2 targets, I said at the Bergen Conference that Ireland is fully committed to the international efforts to stabilise CO 2 emissions but that such efforts must be based on equity. There must be recognition of the fact that some countries have relatively low levels of CO 2 emissions and are only now beginning to develop. The key issue is how to share out the burden of achieving global stabilisation of CO 2 emissions, or any overall reduction targets that may be agreed.
I have not yet set a target for CO 2 emissions in Ireland. This will need to be further considered in the light of international developments including the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Second World Climate Conference which will take place from 29 October to 7 November of this year. The results of the programme of expert studies which is being undertaken at national level will also need to be taken into account.
In the light of the Minister's response that Irish targets for carbon dioxide emissions are not yet appropriate because they must be based on equity, would he not agree that Irish emissions of carbon dioxide are higher per head of population and per pound of national income than the European average? How can he expect the Third World to play a part in the reduction of CO 2 if a developed country like ours is not willing to agree to a target now?
Not just now. We will be willing to agree at the appropriate time. The actual figure has not been finally established but it is accepted internationally that Ireland is a relatively small emitter of CO 2.
Not per head of population or per pound of income.
Targets for the country will be set. Action at international level is the only effective way to tackle the problem. We are trying to establish the extent of Ireland's CO 2 emissions and an inventory of Ireland's CO 2 and other greenhouse gas emissions is being established. We hope it will be completed about the end of August this year, well before the world conference at the end of the year.
Would the Minister not accept that it is somewhat hypocritical for the Irish Government to attend international conferences stating that they are in favour of everybody stabilising CO 2 emissions throughout the world by the year 2000 while at the same time not having any target or any programme to achieve a target? Can the Minister give any information on the other matters included in the final document in relation to a joint energy efficiency programme, specifically in relation to the improvement of public transport and the encouragement of goods traffic by railway and canals? Has this country any targets in those areas?
The Minister accepts and recognises the need to stabilise CO 2 emissions while ensuring at the same time stable development of the world economy. That matter was the subject of considerable discussion at a recent meeting I attended in Washington and also in Bergen. There will be a major world conference following the IPCC report, which we expect to be published in late August or early September. It will contain the base scientific data required to enable world countries to take the necessary decisions. The Deputy is right in that I favour stabilisation.
Is it not the case that in June 1989 when the Commission brought before the Council proposals, seven of the European Governments wanted the resolution following that meeting to include the immediate setting of a target for CO 2 stabilisation by the year 2000 and that our Government, represented by this Minister, resisted such a motion? Could the Minister clarify the form of derogation he is looking for?
I am not looking for a derogation. We are waiting for the report of the IPCC and we will participate fully in the stabilisation process.
How does the Minister justify the June 1989 decision?
At that time there was no unanimity about what we should or should not do. The only way we can establish what should be done is by using the scientific data which will be provided to us before the end of September. The big emitters of CO 2 will then be pressed hard to comply. We have a very good position on the matter in Ireland and as a Community. It has not been quite as easy to get some of the other world players on deck, but following Bergen it can be fairly said that we are moving to a position where action will take place, even if there is a scarcity of scientific data in support.
