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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Questions (63)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets as set by the EU and UN; if alternative energy sources have been sufficiently enhanced to meet the challenges ahead without damaging the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53154/18]

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Written answers

Under the 2009 Effort Sharing Decision, which put in place binding annual emissions targets for each year between 2013 and 2020 for sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System, Ireland must achieve reductions of 20% relative to 2005 levels of emissions.

The actual trends show that under the influence of the economic crash Irish emissions were below target ceilings in the years 2013 to 2015 inclusive. However, as recovery took hold it became clear that we had not broken the link between economic recovery and emissions, which rose significantly above the target ceiling in 2017.

The latest projections, published in May 2018 by the EPA, indicate that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by the Effort Sharing Decision could be on aggregate 17 million tonnes, or 5%, above the cumulative target for the period. However, more worryingly, the 2020 levels are projected to be only between 0% and 1% below 2005 levels by 2020. This puts us in a very bad starting position to meet our 2030 targets.

The EU system does not fix separate targets for different sectors. The Effort Sharing Decision allows Member States to meet their targets using unused emissions allowances from earlier years, or through purchasing allowances from other Member States or on international markets. Ireland has certain accumulated credits already acquired. However, I am advised that Ireland will need to purchase allowances to meet projected shortfalls in 2019 and 2020. My Department currently estimates the costs of this requirement to be in the region of €6m to €13m, depending on the price and final quantity of allowances required.

The recently agreed Effort Sharing Regulation sets out binding annual emission targets for EU Member States in the period 2021 to 2030, with Ireland’s target in 2030 to achieve a 30% reduction in emissions relative to 2005 levels.

I have recently secured Government approval to prepare an All-of-Government Plan, which will set out the actions to be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, and to set out how Ireland will at the very least meet its targets for the period to 2030.

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