Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Environmental Policy.

David Stanton

Ceist:

97 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the Government's commitments regarding the Kyoto agreement and the situation in relation to the agreement; the State's possible exposure to penalties; the action which is being taken on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which the Government has to date complied with the Kyoto Protocol; if he has satisfied himself with progress in this regard; if he plans to improve Ireland's contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19897/01]

John Bruton

Ceist:

316 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he expects the Government to comply with its commitments under the Kyoto protocol that Irish emissions of CO2 gases will be no more than 13% above their 1990 level; and if not, his expectation as to the level of CO2 emissions likely in 2010 comparative to 1990. [19673/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 100 and 316 together.

Under the Kyoto Protocol the EU has a joint greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 8% below 1990 levels in the period 2008-2012 and under the burden sharing agreement within the EU, Ireland has a target to limit its increase in these emissions to 13% above 1990 levels in the same period.

The national climate change strategy, November 2000, sets out how Ireland will achieve its target over the next ten years. The strategy identifies a range of cross-sectoral and sector specific measures to secure the necessary reductions equitably, and with economic and environmental efficiency. Implementation of the strategy is being co-ordinated by a cross-departmental climate change team, chaired by my Department, which has met on eight occasions since January 2001.

Substantial measures identified in the strategy for their potential to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions limitation are under way at a sectoral level. Examples include a new renewable energy competition announced on 25 May 2001, and the recent granting of full market access to electricity from combined heat and power. Substantial investment in public transport under the NDP will help reduce reliance on the private car, especially in Dublin. Necessary changes to the building regulations to reduce energy require ments are being accelerated to ensure full implementation well ahead of the 2005 date in the strategy.

Ireland's emissions of greenhouse gases are currently more than 20% above 1990 levels, and on a business as usual basis, without implementation of the measures in the national climate change strategy, are projected to rise by up to 37% above 1990 levels by 2010. The strategy is specifically designed to make the necessary reductions against these business as usual projections over the coming decade. Sectoral measures included in the strategy are intended to reduce emissions by over 15 million tonnes CO2 equivalent per annum during the commitment period 2008 to 2012; this will ensure that our target is met effectively and on time, so that Ireland properly meets its international obligations in this area and is not exposed to penalties in the future.

Development of an appropriate compliance regime, including options for penalties linked to the extent of non-compliance with Kyoto targets, is being discussed in international negotiations. The sixth conference of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP6, will be resuming in Bonn from 14 to 28 July, 2001 and Ireland will be participating fully in these negotiations.