Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
166. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with member states or the European Commission with regard to an EU trading system for agricultural emissions as indicated in the 2019 Climate Action Plan; if the outcome of such discussions will feature in the 2021 Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12768/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2019 commits to work with other Member States and the European Commission to consider the creation of an alternative regulatory regime (such as an ETS-type system) for agricultural emissions. The aim of such a system would be to help address the challenge of meeting increasing food demand internationally, while at the same time, contributing to climate commitments, including avoiding the off-shoring of agricultural activity to less carbon-efficient production systems. Such an initiative will require close collaboration and buy-in from other Member States and the European Commission.
Ireland has significantly increased its climate ambition, with the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and the step change in climate objectives set out in the Programme for Government, including an average of 7% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions per annum form 2021 to 2030. This increase in ambition will need to be reflected appropriately in the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan.
The Environmental Protection Agency's recent publication “Ireland’s Environment: An Integrated Assessment 2020”, demonstrates that the overall quality of Ireland’s environment is on a downward trend, and the outlook is not optimistic, unless we accelerate the implementation of solutions across all sectors and society. In drafting the Climate Action Plan 2021, far reaching policy changes will be developed across every sector, including agriculture, that set us on the path of systemic change that is required for Ireland to become a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society and economy by 2050 at the latest.
With the 2030 Climate Target Plan and EU Climate Law, the EU will raise its ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030. This is a substantial increase compared to the existing 40% emissions reduction target. The Commission is preparing to present, by June 2021, an overhaul of all relevant climate legislation as part of a “Fit for 55 Package” to align with the newly proposed target. As part preparing this legislation, the Commission will consider the interactions of how emissions are accounted for between the agriculture and land use sectors. .
