Paul Connaughton
Question:132 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the Government's position on the way in which it proposes to comply with the Kyoto Protocol. [2402/03]
Written Answers. - Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:140 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress made to date in implementing the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by Ireland under the Kyoto Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2387/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 140 together.
The Government's national climate change strategy, published in November 2000, sets a ten year framework for achieving the necessary greenhouse gas emissions reductions to ensure that Ireland complies with the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland's obligation under the Kyoto Protocol, as part of the joint fulfilment of the EU reduction target of 8%, is to limit emissions of greenhouse gases to an increase of 13% above our 1990 baseline by the period 2008-12.
Ireland, together with all other member states and the EU, ratified the protocol on 31 May 2002. In parallel with ratification, the first progress report on implementation of the strategy was published. This confirms that a good start has been made, with action under way to deliver 20% of the required reductions. However, continuing emissions increases due to volume growth in the economy mean that implementation of the strategy must be interrupted, and I have initiated a review to assess existing and potential new measures to achieve our target. The review is being undertaken by the cross-departmental climate change team, established to oversee implementation of the strategy and chaired by my Department, in consultation with Comhar – the national sustainable development partnership. It will update and strengthen the strategy by ensuring all necessary policies are put into place, and their implementation is pursued vigorously across all sectors. I hope to have the review finalised during the first half of this year.
I am satisfied that full implementation of the national climate change strategy over the remainder of the decade, together with any additional measures which may be identified in the review, will ensure that our Kyoto obligations are fully met by the 2008-12 period.