Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2017
481. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he continues to put in place provisions to meet greenhouse gas reductions in line with agreements entered into; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49397/17]
View answer488. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his vision for the attainment of the various targets in respect of climate change such as reduction on dependency on fossil fuels, carbon reduction, encouragement of the alternative energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49443/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 488 together.
The 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development sets out an ambitious long-term commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland by at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors; and in parallel, to pursue an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.
Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan, which I published in July of this year, represents an important initial step to set us on a pathway to achieve these commitments by 2050. A key objective of the Plan is also to close the gap to Ireland's 2020 EU target and to prepare for the EU targets that Ireland will take on for 2030.
Although the Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve either Ireland’s proposed 2030 target or the 2050 transition objective, the Plan identifies over 70 mitigation measures and 106 related actions to address the immediate challenge to 2020 and begins the process of developing medium-to-long-term policy options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades.
Importantly, the National Mitigation Plan is a living document that will be updated as on-going analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate more and more cost-effective sectoral mitigation options. This continuous review process reflects the broad and evolving nature of the sectoral challenges outlined in the Plan, coupled with the continued development and deployment of emerging low carbon and cost effective technologies across different sectors of the economy. As this first Plan moves through the implementation phase, this process will enable it to be amended, refined and strengthened over time and assist in keeping Ireland on target to meet our obligations.
Ireland currently relies on imported fossil fuels to meet over 88% of our energy needs at an annual cost of approximately €4.6 billion. Given the inextricable link between energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, achievement of the commitments set out in the National Policy Position will require a significant transformation of Ireland’s energy system from being predominantly fossil-fuel based to a clean, low carbon energy system.
To support this ambition the Government has a range of policy measures and schemes in place or under development. These include the Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff schemes, the Biofuels Obligation Scheme, a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, and a Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme. Together with a range of energy efficiency measures implemented through schemes managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, these measures reflect the on-going Government commitment to, and investment in, decarbonisation of Ireland's energy system.
