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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (226)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

226. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has identified or estimated the percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions for which each Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18427/21]

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Written answers

On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. 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 recognises that many of the changes started in the first carbon-budget period will only lead to reductions in the second carbon-budget period. Under this legislation, the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council shall provide for a reduction of 51% in the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the first two budgetary periods ending on 31 December 2030, from the annual greenhouse gas emissions reported for the year ending on 31 December 2018, as set out in the national greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared by the Environmental Protection Agency. The legislation, which is a key commitment in the Programme for Government, will now progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas as priority legislation.

Sectoral emissions ceilings are the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in a sector of the economy during each 5 year carbon budget. I will develop in consultation with other relevant Ministers, a sectoral emissions ceiling for each relevant sector within each 5-year budget, once the overall carbon budget has been adopted.

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