Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2018
343. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a timeline for the development of her Department's specific climate change targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49561/18]
View answerWhile not directly responsible for delivering climate change mitigation programmes, my Department ensures that climate change is factored into its core enterprise and innovation policy responsibilities. My Department works closely with its agencies to fund climate change related research and to deliver environmental performance improvement programmes which directly assist enterprise in reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.
Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are a central part of our policy considerations and are a key factor when developing new initiatives. For example, the Future Jobs initiative is the Government's new plan and programme of action for the next phase of Ireland's economic development. The initiative is being developed jointly by my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach and we expect to launch the initiative early next year. One of the key areas being considered under the initiative is adaptation to the ‘Low Carbon Economy’ and how enterprises can innovate and adapt to succeed in a low carbon economy. The initiative recognises that climate change impacts how we do business and requires a change to production and consumption methods.
My Department is administering the Government’s new €500m Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, one of four funds in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Applications under the fund must align with research priority areas which include climate action related areas such as “Decarbonising the Energy System” and “Sustainable Living”. Applications under the first funding call are currently being considered.
Innovation 2020, Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology, contains a series of actions to promote research and innovation in climate change related areas.
In addition to the initiatives being developed and implemented by my Department, the enterprise sector continues to participate in emission reduction efforts with accompanying obligations to reduce emissions. Irish enterprises' main contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is through the European Union Emissions Trading System which includes approximately one hundred installations of Ireland’s largest energy users, who account for more than 25% of Ireland’s emissions. The Emissions Trading System operates on a “cap and trade” basis, with the cap continuously reducing over time. Under Phase IV of the System which will commence in 2021, the sectors covered by EU ETS must reduce their emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
Two hundred of Ireland’s largest energy users are members of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s Large Industry Energy Network. Estimated energy savings of over 10% were achieved by network members in 2017 and over 300 projects were implemented covering a wide range of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
A number of companies are availing of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland initiatives such as the “Lighting Support Scheme for SMEs” and the Excellence in Energy Efficient Design, which incorporate energy efficiency into design projects. Enterprises continue to avail of the Accelerated Capital Allowances scheme for Energy Efficient Equipment to assist them in their purchase of highly energy efficient equipment.
In terms of my Department’s agency initiatives in the area of climate change, Science Foundation Ireland funds climate action related research in areas such climate change mitigation and renewable energy.
IDA’s Environmental Aid Programme assists client companies to implement major renewable energy or energy efficiency initiatives or address other environmental issues such as waste reduction.
Enterprise Ireland supports companies to improve their environmental performance, drive environmental efficiencies and achieve improved sustainability.
