Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021
9. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if clarification will be provided on the programme for Government commitment to reduce polluting emissions by an average of 7% a year and by 51% in total by 2030. [12330/21]
View answerThe 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.
Further clarity on how this ambition will be spread across the decade will be delivered through the provisions of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, once enacted. The Bill will define how five-year carbon budgets and related sectoral targets will be set, with every sector contributing, ensuring we continue to work to achieve a broad political and societal consensus on the transition to a climate neutral economy and society. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future Governments for sustained climate action. The Programme for Government recognizes that many of the changes started in the first carbon-budget period will only lead to reductions in the second carbon-budget period.
I am currently working with colleagues across Government on a new Climate Action Plan which will include additional policies and measures in every sector to bring about the significant changes needed to transform our society. Implementation of the Climate Action Plan will be monitored closely and the Plan will be updated annually to adjust and refocus existing actions and set out new policy actions to ensure we remain on track and within our emission limits.
