Dinny McGinley
Question:30 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Energy if, in light of the EC requirement to stabilise CO2 emissions by the year 2000, he will immediately undertake a major new energy conservation programme.
Written Answers. - Energy Conservation Programme.
Gerry O'Sullivan
Question:32 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Energy if, in view of his statement that, due to the potential for increased energy consumption, Ireland will not be able to meet EC standards for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, he will outline a specific plan to reduce Ireland's energy consumption and to provide a timetable for its implementation.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 30 and 32 together.
The EC is committed to stabilising CO2 emissions in the Community as a whole at 1990 levels by the year 2000. This commitment was made at the joint Energy and Environment Council in Luxembourg in 1990 and reaffirmed in December 1991. In so far as member states such as Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Greece are concerned, this joint commitment provides for differential treatment for the less developed economies of the Community. Thus emissions are expected to grow in line with development up to 2000 while the energy efficiency of economic activities will be improved to minimise any increase in CO2 emissions.
In line with the joint Council of December last, a national programme including a comprehensive approach on strategies and targets for limiting CO2 emissions is being prepared at present by the Department of the Environment in consultation with other Departments, including Energy. When completed the programme will be transmitted to the Commission.
In this context I am in agreement with the general view that energy conservation is the best method in the short term of reducing CO2 emissions. Ireland has an ongoing energy conservation programme and possibilities for expanding that programme are kept under review. Measures being worked out at present under the Community SAVE programme to support energy conservation initiatives by member states will form part of our future conservation activities.
In our view also the development of forestry in Ireland will play a role in limiting our CO2 emissions. Forests absorb and retain large amounts of CO2. Our rapidly increasing forest area could absorb as much as one third of our expected growth in emissions. Inclusion of sink capacity in calculating emissions of CO2 is a vital element of our national programme.
One of the specific measures suggested by the Commission in response to the joint Council's decisions is to encourage energy efficiency and conservation through the introduction of a carbon tax. The joint Council has acknowledged that such a instrument is likely to be needed and has asked the Commission to carry out further studies. The matter will be considered further when the studies are completed.