Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane as mentioned in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31154/20]
View answerThe Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its 21st Session in Paris in 2015, invited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide a special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways.
The IPCC Special Report, published in 2018, increased understanding of the global carbon budgets for that goal and distinguished the importance of reaching and sustaining net-zero global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, while concurrently achieving deep reductions in non-CO2 gases such as methane and nitrous oxide. The report provides modelled emission pathways consistent with the 1.5°C goal. While the global carbon budget is focused on CO2 as the main driver of global warming, the report also enhanced understanding of the required emission reduction pathways for other major greenhouse gases. In pathways limiting global warming to 1.5°C with limited or no overshoot, the report shows CO2 emissions reduced to net zero by 2050. However, this report also points out that non-CO2 emissions, including methane, while being reduced, will not reach net zero globally.
Thus, the scientific consensus is clear, we must reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 to ensure we protect our planet and our country from the most severe impacts of global warming. This Government is committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A key aspect of delivering upon this commitment will be enacting a 2050 target in law through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020. The Bill also defines how five-year carbon budgets will be set, including sectoral decarbonisation target ranges, ensuring every sector must contribute towards meeting this target through agreed policies, actions and measures.
The development of appropriate carbon budgets for Ireland will be informed by science and the expert advice of the Climate Change Advisory Council who will propose carbon budgets to the Minister.
The Bill provides that any plans or strategies to achieve the carbon budgets and 2050 target will acknowledge the special economic and social role of agriculture and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane. While, as acknowledged, it is not necessary for biogenic methane emissions to reach net zero, nor would this be an attainable goal, the agricultural sector has an important role to play in reducing emissions as far as is technologically possible, and to contribute to carbon sequestration and fossil fuel displacement. Land use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and constitutes an opportunity both for farmers and for rural areas. This potential will be fully explored to curb the emissions, as well as to create jobs and diversify farmers’ income. The Government will evaluate the potential for contributions towards our climate ambition from land-use improvements, and set in train the development of a land-use plan based on its findings.
