Written Answers - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Michael Ring
Question:
64
Mr. Ring
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the progress, if any, made in limiting Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions to the levels accepted as part of EU policy; if Ireland's emissions are at or above the relevant targeted levels; if Ireland will continue to meet its obligations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18747/99]
Within the overall EU commitment to stabilise CO2 emissions in the Union as a whole at 1990 levels by the year 2000, Ireland's CO2 Abatement Strategy of 1993 was based on the objective of limiting the growth in emissions to 20 per cent above 1990 levels in the year 2000. Recently prepared data from the EPA for 1997 indicate that CO2 emissions were 19.7 per cent over 1990 levels.
Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol, within the overall EU reduction target of 8 per cent, is to limit the net increase in emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases to 13 per cent above 1990 levels in the period 2008-12. Revised data prepared by the EPA indicate that our net emissions of these gases reached the Kyoto level in 1997. EPA projections derived from official data suggest that under a business as usual scenario, emissions could increase by 26 per cent to 29.5 per cent by 2010.
However, member states' targets were developed on the basis that they would represent a substantial reduction on business as usual scenarios, reflecting the emphasis across the EU on decoupling economic from emissions growth as the only realistic response to the threat of climate change.
The Government will be taking the necessary action to ensure that Ireland meets the Kyoto target. A number of measures are already in place to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, transport, residential, industrial, agricultural, waste and commercial sectors. These are outlined in detail in Ireland's second national communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since the preparation of this report in July 1997, there have been a number of further policy developments which,inter alia, address climate change.
For purposes of a national greenhouse gas abatement strategy to meet Ireland's Kyoto target, a consultancy study on the limitation and reduction of CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland was published by my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise last year, and provided a basis for public consultation. Copies of the second national communication and the consultancy study are available in the Oireachtas Library. I have also established a consultation group on greenhouse gas emissions trading to assess the scope for domestic emissions trading and the implications for Ireland of an international trading regime. I understand that the group will be reporting shortly.
The national strategy, now at an advanced stage of preparation having regard to public consultation, the evolution of negotiations on key elements of the protocol and continuing economic growth will provide a framework for achieving Ireland's Kyoto target. It will build on existing measures and identify additional policies and measures for implementation in all sectors in a cost effective and environmentally sound manner. Measures at national level will be complemented by further common and co-ordinated policies and measures across the EU.
