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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Questions (144)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with the road haulage and transport operators with regard to the reduction of carbon emissions within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53205/21]

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Written answers

Reducing transport emissions in sectors that operate heavy duty vehicles (e.g. haulage, coaches and buses) is particularly challenging. Heavy duty vehicles, which accounted for 21% of land transport emissions in 2020, will continue to be a specific focus of the work of my Department under the climate action policy in collaboration with the operators and industry representatives who make up the sectors.

Following the Phase 2 Report of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce in 2019, a roadmap was developed and is now being implemented by the National Transport Authority with industry and transport operator engagement. A key objective is the transition of the public transport fleet to low and zero-emission vehicles. Also, in March of this year I launched the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy Duty Vehicle Purchase Grant to assist haulage companies and road transport operators to invest in lower carbon technologies.

Engagement with transport and haulage operators is also integral to my Department’s research into heavy duty vehicle sector emissions. For example, the Freight Decarbonisation Study’that my Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland carried out in 2020 was structured around industry workshops and consultation.

My Department has this year commenced the consultation process on a significant review for a Ten-Year Road Haulage Strategy. Sustainability of the sector is among the themes being examined as part of this Strategy, and industry engagement will be crucial to its success.

The first phase of the Strategy’s two-phase public consultation closed on 16 July. The consultation results are being reviewed by my Department and will provide a pathway to help the sector to lower its carbon emissions.

My Department and my officials will continue to work with both the road haulage industry and transport operators to determine how best to achieve our climate ambitions.

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