Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 April 2007
121 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking through vehicle standards, road pricing, public transport provision or otherwise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12665/07]
View answer480 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Transport the measures he will take to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, which have risen by 7% in 2005 as outlined in the recent EPA report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7470/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 480 together.
A number of measures relating to transport are being included in the new Climate Change Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include a rebalancing of motor taxes, a Mineral Oil Tax Relief for biofuels, a modal shift through Transport 21 and the achievement of a 5.75% biofuels blend in fuels by 2010. In all the transport sector will provide up to 13% in total national emission savings under that Strategy.
The completion of projects identified in Transport 21 will see public transport capacity in the Greater Dublin Area almost double over its ten-year implementation period and modelling of the impacts of Transport 21 in the Greater Dublin Area shows a reduction of 6% in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during rush hour in 2016. This will increase to 20% with the implementation of demand side management measures.
I have also announced the preparation of a Sustainable Transport Action Plan, which will support the revised National Climate Change Strategy and Energy White Paper. This Action Plan will set out a broad suite of policies and measures to help the transport sector progress along a more sustainable trajectory and make a critical contribution to reducing emissions to 2020.
The Action Plan will include consideration of measures such as:
Soft measures to reduce car use, including car sharing, flexible working, travel blending and individual or workplace travel plans with leadership being demonstrated by the public sector,
Additional initiatives such as public awareness campaigns on eco-driving as well as support for alternative fuels and technologies for public transport, haulage and taxi fleets,
Support for EU proposals to reduce CO2 emissions of new passenger cars to an average level of 130 g/km,
Support for a higher biofuels target of 10% by 2020,
Transformation of the public transport fleet to a more sustainable basis by mandating that existing buses and rail engines move to a 5% biodiesel blend with new vehicles to a higher blend of 30% biofuels in as short a time-frame as possible as well as the consideration of hybrid electric buses as part of fleet replacement,
Use of 100% pure plant oil (PPO) in captive fleets such as local authorities and public bodies,
Fiscal measures to reduce transport demand, including road pricing or congestion charges once sufficient infrastructure has been provided and public transport alternatives are in place, and
Support for measures to include the aviation and maritime sectors in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), as part of a multilateral commitment by Member States.
Tackling transport emissions requires a cross-Departmental approach and I am determined to ensure that my Department will continue to play its part in ensuring that the transport sector makes its contribution to the task of controlling national greenhouse gas emissions so that Ireland fulfils its international obligations relating to climate change
