Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he proposes to take to enable Ireland to comply with the Kyoto Protocol; and the reason for the lack of progress to date in so complying. [14773/01]

Michael Bell

Question:

89 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the steps he intends to take arising from findings of the report of the European Environment Agency that Ireland exceeded every other EU member state, apart from Spain, in the rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions during the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15950/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which Ireland is now compliant with the Kyoto guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16296/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 61, 89 and 192 together.

The national climate change strategy which I published in November 2000, and which is available in the Oireachtas Library, sets out a ten year framework for achieving the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions to ensure that Ireland complies with the Kyoto Protocol. The strategy identifies a range of cross sectoral and sector specific measures to achieve the necessary reductions equitably, and with economic and environmental efficiency.

Implementation of the strategy is being co-ordinated by a cross-departmental climate change team, chaired by my Department, which has met on seven occasions since January 2001.

In addition to overseeing the successful implementation of the strategy, the team will also establish necessary consultative arrangements with the social partners, develop a robust and comprehensive set of indicators at a sectoral and national level, oversee the quantification of costs and benefits of the implementation of specific measures and undertake the biennial review of the strategy, beginning in 2002, in consultation with Comhar.

A consultation process has been established to maintain appropriate liaison and information exchange with sectoral interests for purposes of implementation. Work is under way on the development of a long-term communications strategy addressing awareness of climate change and Comhar has prepared proposals for this. Sub-groups on inventory data, negotiated agreements with industry and economic analysis are also being established.

Substantial measures identified in the strategy for their potential to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions limitation are under way at a sectoral level. They include a new renewable energy competition announced on 25 May 2001 and the recent granting of full market access to electricity from combined heat and power. Two new gas fired electricity generating plants will also be in place by 2002 using the most carbon efficient fuel which will be twice as efficient as existing plants. Substantial investment in public transport in the national development plan will reduce reliance on the private car, especially in Dublin. Necessary changes to the building regulations to reduce energy requirements are being accelerated to ensure full implementation well ahead of the 2005 date in the strategy.

While emissions of greenhouse gases are currently over 20% above 1990 levels, and on a business as usual basis with continuing economic growth are projected to rise by up to 37% above 1990 levels by 2010, the national climate change strategy is specifically designed to make the necessary reductions to move away from these business as usual projections over the coming decade. Sectoral measures included in the strategy are intended to reduce emissions by over 15 million tonnes COf7>2 equivalent during the com mitment period 2008 to 2012 per annum which will ensure that our target is met effectively and on time.