Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2022
33. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a limited company that is not part of the European Emissions Trading Scheme can offset carbon emissions' through green energy generation such as solar and wind privately owned and generated by the company and or from planting forestry on company property. [62574/22]
View answerWhile Ireland does not have a specific voluntary national carbon credit trading system, we participate in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). The Commission have recently published proposals for the first EU-wide voluntary framework to reliably certify high-quality carbon removals. The proposal will boost innovative carbon removal technologies, sustainable carbon farming solutions, and significantly improve the EU's capacity to quantify, monitor and verify carbon removals. Actions such as restoring forests and soils; management of wetlands and peatlands; bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS); direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS); and carbon storage in long-lasting products and materials will be eligible. The proposed scheme will be open to all land managers. While there is no offsetting in relation to solar energy, there are a number of initiatives to encourage the deployment of solar energy. Micro generation of solar energy is part of the Government's overall renewable electricity strategy. While micro generators are primarily producing electricity for self-consumption, the Clean Export Guarantee was launched in February 2022. This provides a mechanism by which micro-generators can be paid (by energy suppliers) for excess electricity exported back into the national grid. This will allow for an offset on the cost of investment. Along with other supports provided for the installation of solar panels, these policies are designed to encourage the deployment of solar power which will have the effect of reducing electricity supply costs and associated emissions for enterprises.
