Ireland contributes collectively with other EU Member States to the commitments under the Paris Agreement and to the legally binding, EU-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 as set by the European Climate Law. The EU, in its approach to decarbonising, has split GHG emissions into two regimes:
• The Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a European-wide “cap and trade” carbon market scheme for major polluters that establishes direct targets for high-emitting bodies. Emissions from electricity generation and large industry in the ETS are subject to an EU-wide emissions reduction target of 62% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels.
• The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) sets out Member States’ individual contributions from non-ETS sectors. Ireland’s target under the ESR is to reduce non-ETS emissions by 42% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
Together, the ETS and ESR, will facilitate delivery of the enhanced ambition at EU level, achieved collectively with all Member States participating in this effort, in a manner that balances considerations of fairness, cost effectiveness and solidarity, and ensures that no one is left behind.
Ireland’s climate objectives, as legislated for in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021, and our domestic 2030 target, as set out in Climate Action Plan 2023, are fully aligned with our international and European climate obligations.
The Department of Taoiseach’s quarterly progress reports track the implementation of actions identified in the Climate Action Plan. The latest report shows an overall implementation rate of 72% in 2023. Progress has been made across six high-impact sectors from transport to industry which demonstrates that we have the capacity to deliver the changes that are needed.
At EU level, the European Commission’s Climate Action Progress Report 2023 and the European Environment Agency’s Trends and Projections in Europe Report 2023 will both be published in October. These reports will present the EU and individual Member States’ progress towards their respective climate targets and will allow us to develop a more comprehensive assessment of Ireland’s efforts and performance, relative to our European partners.
