Eamon Ryan
Ceist:198. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the role of his Department in relation to the development of the European climate and energy plan. [23788/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 May 2018
Ceisteanna (198)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department has the lead role in developing the National Energy and Climate Plan. The creation of a National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) is one of the key provisions of the proposed Governance of the Energy Union Regulation. The plan will include trajectories for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and national emissions, as well as the measures required to achieve these trajectories.
In October 2014 EU leaders agreed on a 2030 Framework for climate and energy, which included new EU-wide targets and policy objectives for the period between 2021 and 2030. The three targets from this framework are at least 27% share for renewable energy, at least 27% improvement in energy efficiency, and at least 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels). The proposed Governance of the Energy Union Regulation will underpin these commitments. The NECP will cover all five dimensions of the Energy Union, the policies and measures proposed to reach these goals and will be based on a common template to allow for comparability. The first draft is due for submission to the Commission by end 2018, with a final version due by end 2019.
It should be noted that the Governance Regulation is the subject of an ongoing trilogue process with the European Parliament which is expected to conclude later this year. Until this point is reached, the targets, policy objectives and timelines are subject to revision.
My Department is working closely with other Departments on the development of the plan through the structures that have been established to co-ordinate Government activity on climate change. There is a high-level steering committee on climate action, which I chair, and a Technical Research and Modelling group which provides expert advice and support. Relevant Departments and agencies are members of these groups.
Preparation of the plan is at an early stage but its development will be facilitated by the work already undertaken to complete the Energy White Paper, the National Mitigation Plan, and the recently published National Development Plan. The NDP in particular represents a step-change in Government commitment to climate change, with €21.8 billion in funding directed to addressing the transition to a low-carbon society over the period to 2030. This week I launched a €500 million Climate Action Fund, which is a key element of Government strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy and enhance energy efficiency as set out in the NDP.