Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Kyoto Protocol.

Derek McDowell

Ceist:

185 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the measures, if any, taken by him to ensure Ireland's compliance with the Kyoto agreements; if approaches have been made to other countries with a view to trading emission surpluses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16129/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Ireland's target under the Kyoto Protocol is to limit the increase in emissions of greenhouse gases to 13 per cent above 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012. A number of measures are currently in place to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, transport, residential, industrial, agricultural, waste and commercial sectors. These are outlined in detail in Ireland's Second National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since the preparation of this report in July 1997, there have been a number of further policy developments which, inter alia, address climate change.

For the purposes of the preparation of a national greenhouse gas abatement strategy to meet Ireland's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol, a consultancy study on the Limitation and Reduction of CO2 and other Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland was published by my Department and the Department of Public Enterprise in June 1998, as a basis for public consultation. Copies of the Second National Communication and the consultancy study are available in the Oireachtas Library.

A discussion forum was held last autumn for interested bodies, organisations and individuals who made submissions on the consultancy report. The submissions made, and the wide-ranging discussion at the forum, are being utilised in the development of the national strategy, now being prepared for Government approval as a priority. The strategy will provide a framework for achieving Ireland's Kyoto commitment, building on existing measures and developing additional policies and measures for implementation in all sectors in a cost effective and environmentally sound manner. Measures at national level will be complemented by further common and coordinated policies and measures within the EU to assist the community and its member states in meeting the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol.

Negotiations are ongoing at UN level on all aspects of the principles, rules, modalities and guidelines for emissions trading and the other flexible mechanisms provided for in the protocol. Under the Buenos Aires plan of action decided at the last ministerial meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, agreement on these will be sought at the ministerial meeting in 2000. No approaches have been made to other countries at this stage with a view to trading emission surpluses.

I have established a consultation group on greenhouse gas emissions trading to assess this option as it affects Irish policy formation, including the scope for development of a domestic emissions trading market and the implications for Ireland of an international trading regime. Relevant Government Departments and appropriate external interests and expertise are represented on the group.