In relation to our 2020 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, the latest EPA projections indicate that, while we may come close to meeting our cumulative emissions targets for the period 2013 to 2020, due in part to over-achievement in the early years of the period, our actual emissions in 2020 will most likely fall short of the headline target figure of a reduction of 20%. The challenges that we face in terms of meeting our 2020 targets and those which will be agreed for 2030 are well understood by Government, in the context of our National Policy on Climate Change and also in terms of our legislative response.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015, which will be enacted in the coming days, will provide the statutory basis for the State to transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050.
Specifically in respect of mitigation matters, the Bill provides for the submission to Government of a National Mitigation Plan at least once every five years. Each such Plan will specify the policy measures that would be required in order to manage greenhouse gas emissions and removals, taking into account the existing obligations on the State under EU and international law.
The Plan will incorporate the sectorial mitigation measures to be adopted by relevant Ministers, such as those responsible for agriculture, transport, energy and the built environment, for the purposes of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enabling the achievement of the national transition objective. In this way, a whole-of-Government approach will be adopted to ensure that sectors of the economy with the largest emissions play their part in contributing to emissions reductions now and into the future.
