As a first step towards controlling emissions of hydrofluorocarbons, HFCs, perfluorocarbons, PFCs, and sulphur hexafluoride SF 6 relevant data are required so that national inventories and projections may be compiled. I refer to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 24 February 1998, which indicated that the Environmental Protection Agency, at my Department's request, is working on the compilation of data on the importation and use of these gases. This will include data on emissions and projections for the commitment period 2008-2012 contained in the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
In addition to the work on inventories and projections, l hope shortly to receive the findings of the consultancy study commissioned by my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise to identify additional policies and measures to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the scope for the intensification of existing policies and measures. This study is addressing all greenhouse gases, including HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and all sectors of the economy. The consultancy study, together with the necessary inventories and projections, will facilitate the putting in place of the necessary measures to limit and/or reduce these emissions. At EU level, consideration is also being given to the adoption of common and co-ordinated policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including HFCs, PFCs and SF 6 emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol adopted on 11 December 1997 sets, inter alia, a legally binding target for the member states of the EU to reduce emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), HFCs, PFCs and SF6 — by 8 per cent below 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012. The protocol does not set separate targets for each gas and it is a matter for each party to achieve its target by the emission limitations and reductions considered most appropriate overall.
It is intended that the EU as a whole will meet the target using provisions in the protocol concerning joint fulfilment and on the basis of agreed internal burden sharing. The internal burden sharing arrangement is now subject to review at EU level in the light of the Kyoto outcome, with particular regard to the inclusion of three additional gases — HFCs, PFCs and SF 6 — the timeframe involved and the provisions regarding the use of sinks to absorb CO2.
My Department has asked all other relevant Government Departments for an update of the data necessary for the EPA also to prepare revised inventories and projections for the three main greenhouse gases CO2, CH4 and N20. These, together with the inventories and projections for the three additional gases, will be taken into consideration in Ireland's participation in the EU internal burden sharing discussions. It is expected that the discussions will be finalised by June. Inventories and projections of emissions of CO62, CH4 and N20, previously prepared, are contained in Ireland's Second National Communication under the Convention, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.
I have previously indicated my intention to adhere to the level of ambition implicit in Ireland's indicative national growth limitation target of 15 per cent, which was part of the internal burden sharing agreement associated with the EU negotiating position in respect of the three main greenhouse gases — CO2, CH4 and N20.