Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that travel reduction targets for the transport sector in general continues to be attainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21273/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan makes clear that, in addition to increasing the proportion of kilometres driven by passenger electric cars, we need to reduce the remaining fossil fueled passenger car kilometres by at least 10% to fully achieve a 51% emissions reduction for the transport sector by 2030. While all options are on the table as we strive to achieve carbon neutrality, we must ensure that if policies like this are pursued that they are evidence based and that viable alternatives exist for people to continue to make their journeys.
Transport activity and demand are closely linked to employment and economic activity. Anticipated demographic growth will lead to increases in these areas. As a result, transport is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. Nonetheless, immediate action is necessary and I am confident that we will achieve our targeted reduction by 2030.
In recent months, my Department has advanced a variety important policy initiatives which will make a significant impact - notably a new Sustainable Mobility Policy, a new Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy, the National Transport Investment Framework, a Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement and a 5 Cities Demand Management Study and associated toolkit. Later this year, we will be publishing a 10 year Haulage Strategy which will inter alia, consider the long term decarbonisation options for this sector
In terms of investment, through the NTA, we are advancing work on rural public transport (Connecting Ireland), Bus Connects and Active Travel programmes which will seek to promote modal shift to more sustainable transport, along the continued electrification of the public transport fleet and expansion of DART services. My Department is also considering how we can refine current commitments in order to deliver additional emissions reductions in a fair and equitable manner over the next 8 years.
Reducing car dependency and implementing a radical shift towards sustainable mobility is the ultimate goal. As investments and projects in transport often materialise over the medium-term, my Department is taking action now that will pay dividends in future years.
