Trevor Sargent
Question:798 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the review of the National Climate Change Strategy is expected to be published. [11502/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
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Written answers
The national climate change strategy review process incorporates an update of greenhouse gas emissions projections, together with a particular emphasis on cross-cutting economic instruments to achieve Ireland's Kyoto target. These include, taxation and emissions trading and other flexible mechanisms which have been and are being developed at national/EU/international level since the national strategy was formulated.
In this context, the Government is ensuring that Ireland is prepared to participate fully in the pilot phase of EU emissions trading scheme 2005-07. In this regard, on 31 March 2004 the Environmental Protection Agency submitted the national allocation plan, NAP, to the European Commission for approval prior to the issue of allowances to the participants in emissions trading. The installations included in emissions trading represent approximately one third of Irish greenhouse gas emissions.
The study underpinning the development of the NAP identified the overall national distance to target in the Kyoto period 2008-2012 at 9.2 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, MtCO2e, per annum. Reductions below the base case scenario of 4.3 MtCO2e are implicit in the indicative allocation announced for the emissions trading sector for this period, leaving reductions of 4.9 MtCO2e to be achieved within the rest of the economy. I am satisfied that 1.2 MtCO2e can be achieved within the sector of the economy outside emissions trading at or below the expected market price of €10 per tonne of CO2, and Government has given an indication of intent to purchase 3.7 million allowances on the international market for that part of the economy, with the possibility for the purchases to be funded from the CO2 tax to be explored in the consideration of this tax.
I am now advancing the review of the overall national climate change strategy to take account of the foregoing decisions and progress in relation to emissions trading. I intend to publish the outcome in due course. I am satisfied that full implementation of the revised strategy over the remainder of the decade, in the context of the arrangements for emissions trading together with any additional measures which may be identified in the review, will ensure that our Kyoto obligations will be fully met by the 2008-12 period.