Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016
65. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department's definition of carbon neutrality and sustainable food production, in view of the fact that these terms are often used in tandem with each other with regard to Ireland's climate change mitigation obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38614/16]
View answerThe EU and wider international position on carbon neutrality is not well developed and lacks clarity of definition at this stage.
As part of the process of defining carbon neutrality from an Irish agriculture and land use perspective, a number of scenarios are being considered and the definition ultimately approved will have to be robust on scientific, technical and environmental grounds, and compatible with present and anticipated future requirements under EU and International law.
This issue was examined by NESC in its 2012 report, "Ireland and the climate change challenge: connecting "How Much" with "How To"". Teagasc has also produced a report setting out a number of conclusions on proposed pathways towards carbon neutrality in 2050 entitled Carbon Neutrality as a horizon point for Irish Agriculture: a qualitative appraisal of potential pathways to 2050. Both these analyses will inform the definition process and ultimately feed into Ireland's mitigation planning in the future.
Regarding the definition of sustainable food production, Ireland's Food Wise 2025 agri-food strategy sets out a vision for the sustainable growth of the food production sector, in line with the European Union Council Conclusions of July 2014 on the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. In an Irish context, environmental protection and economic competitiveness are considered as equal and complimentary. One cannot be achieved at the expense of the other. Improving productivity, while using natural resources in a manner which protects them into the future, requires on-going strong commitment from the sector to adapt through embracing and applying the latest innovations, new techniques and processes.
The extent of Ireland's challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by the Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and now underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015, which was enacted in December 2015. The National Policy Position provides a high-level policy direction for the adoption and implementation by Government of plans to enable the State to move to a low carbon economy by 2050. Statutory authority for the plans is set out in the Act.
