Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2017
325. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of reforms to the emissions trading scheme directive post-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11095/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is one of the main policies of the European Union to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a cost-effective manner. Emissions Trading is a "cap and trade" scheme, whereby an EU wide cap or limit is set for participating installations. This cap is reduced over time so that total emissions are reduced. Within this cap, "allowances" for emissions are auctioned or allocated for free. Individual installations must report on their emissions on an annual basis and surrender sufficient allowances to cover their emissions, purchasing additional allowances if necessary.
The ETS includes 11,000 installations (98 in Ireland) and accounts for roughly 45% of EU emissions (25% of Irish emissions). The ETS was launched in 2005 and is currently in its third phase, covering the period 2013 to 2020.
Negotiations are currently under way regarding the design of the ETS for the post-2020 (Phase IV) period. On the basis of European Commission proposals, Member States in the Council, including Ireland, have been engaged in negotiations to ensure that the reformed ETS is able to meet its GHG reduction objectives in a cost-effective manner.
At a meeting of the Environment Council on 28 February, agreement was reached on a general approach on the revised ETS proposal, a position Ireland was able to support. This will now enable the Council to begin negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposal. It is currently anticipated that this process will reach a conclusion later this year.
