Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
183. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that is being made on sectoral carbon emissions limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/22]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050. The Act also significantly strengthens the statutory framework for governance of the climate challenge, including the establishment of a system of carbon budgeting, with sector-specific emissions ceilings operating within the five-year carbon budget periods.
Under Section 6C of the Act, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications must prepare, within the limits of the carbon budget, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in different sectors of the economy during a budget period and, when preparing a sectoral emissions ceiling, consult with such Ministers of the Government as he or she considers appropriate.
The process to prepare the sectoral emissions ceilings for Government approval involved extensive and frequent engagement with the relevant Departments and Agencies. This engagement is currently ongoing and the ceilings have not yet been finally determined. It is intended that the ceilings will be submitted for Cabinet approval in the near future.
