Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which progress is being made towards the reduction of emissions in line with EU and international targets without negative impact on the agrifood sector; if it is possible at this stage to identify enhanced progress in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/21]
View answerThe 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision 406/2009/EC established annual greenhouse gas emission targets for the period 2013-2020 for Ireland. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below 2005 levels. The latest EPA projections show that emissions from those sectors of the economy covered by our targets could be between 2-4% below 2005 levels. While these projections do not take into account the likely impact of Covid-19, they demonstrate the challenge we face to reduce emissions. The EU itself has also an overall target of 20% emissions reduction by 2020 and has reported that it is well on track to meet this and is likely to exceed the target. The EU Effort Sharing Regulation EU/2018/842 (ESR) established binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States for the period 2021–2030. The ESR sets Ireland a target of a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The policies and measures in Climate Action Plan 2019 are designed to ensure that Ireland meets this target. Ireland’s target is expected to increase in line with ambition under the EU Green Deal to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 versus 1990 levels.
As set out in the Programme for Government, we are 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, in line with EU ambitions. It also recognises the special economic and social role of agriculture and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane, as described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in terms of plans and strategies to achieve these targets.
While emissions from the agrifood sector have continued to increase, Irish agriculture has a positive international reputation in terms of producing high quality, sustainable produce. The long-term challenge for the sector is to meet the national policy objective of an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise our capacity for sustainable food production. The Government is committed to finding the balance between environmental, climate and biodiversity needs and supports for farmers.
The existing Climate Action Plan includes measures for the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to deliver in order to ensure we meet our existing targets. This is underpinned by actions aimed at: reducing emissions on our farms by vigorously adopting the abatement opportunities identified by Teagasc; promoting diversification of land use as part of a gradual transition; harnessing opportunities in the bioeconomy; realising the potential of sustainable bioenergy supply opportunities; better management of our peatlands and soils; and developing clusters of exemplar practice.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan will further evolve the role agriculture and in particular the agrifood industry play in supporting our climate ambitions, and responsibilities. We are working to identify actions to support increased carbon removals. Land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and provides a new source of family farm income and rural economic benefit. As well as developing the next Climate Action Plan, we are evaluating the potential climate contributions from land use improvements, to set in train the development of a land land-use strategy.
And finally, we recognise the interlinked role the agriculture and agrifood sectors have with the waste sector and are committed to supporting the agrifood sector to evolve Ireland’s capability as a leader in circular economies. We are investing in research in the agrifood sector to prioritise investment in climate and the bio-economy and will implement the National Policy Statement on the Bio-economy, providing the agrifood sector with new opportunities using biological resources in a sustainable and circular manner.
