Vol. 497 No. 1
12 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will support the call from the African group at the fourth meeting of the conference of the parties to the climate change convention in Buenos Aires in November 1998 for an agreed programme to ensure that, after a transitional period, no nation emits more than its fair share of a safe global limit for greenhouse gas emissions. [22487/98]
I am not aware of such a call from the Africa group at the fourth conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which took place in Buenos Aires.
I have outlined Ireland's approach at the conference of the parties in Buenos Aires in the reply to Priority Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on today's Order Paper. Before entering into the negotiations, the EU stressed its willingness to address important issues under the convention, in particular those of interest to developing countries, and this has been reflected in the outcome of the conference.
A number of measures which reflect the particular concerns of the Africa group were adopted. These include progress on the transfer of technology, where a process was agreed towards overcoming the barriers to the transfer of environmentally sound technology, including the question of enhancing capacity building in developing countries. In the Buenos Aires plan of action, deadlines were placed on a number of important issues and notably on the development of the clean development mechanism as a priority. As already explained in the earlier reply to Priority Questions, further support will also be provided from the global environment facility to countries which are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change to plan concrete measures for adaptation.
13 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to an article in a newspaper (details supplied) dated 1 November 1998 which claims that Ireland faces a bill of millions of pounds due to our failure to meet our commitments under the Kyoto agreement and the necessity to buy carbon credits in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23390/98]
18 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps, if any, he will take to control greenhouse gas emissions in view of the fact that Ireland has almost reached the limits for greenhouse gas emissions set by the Kyoto conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24092/98]
24 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if Ireland has exceeded its 1998 quota under the Kyoto protocol in respect of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22198/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18 and 24 together.
I am aware of the article referred to which claims that Ireland will face a substantial bill to purchase carbon credits in order to meet our Kyoto target. Ireland's position, in common with the EU, is that emissions trading should be supplemental to domestic action as the main means by which parties will meet their targets. It is not possible to estimate at this stage whether, and to what extent, Ireland will be a participant in the trading market, and at what price emissions will be traded.
The article in question appears to assume that no action beyond business as usual will be taken at domestic and EU levels to meet Kyoto targets and, to this extent, its cost estimates cannot be regarded as reliable. I am developing a national strategy to meet our target in the most economically and environmentally advantageous manner, including by intensification of existing policies and measures and the identification of new policies and measures. As part of this process, I am also establishing an advisory group to examine greenhouse gas emissions trading, to advise on the options for Ireland, both domestically and in the context of developing EU and international requirements, and to offer advice towards the Irish negotiating position on international trading as required.
In relation to Ireland's current levels of greenhouse gas emissions and the strategy to limit future emissions, I refer to the reply to Priority Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on today's Order Paper.
