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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Ceisteanna (185, 186, 187)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he is in contact with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine with a view to identifying positive actions that can be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agrifood sector without damaging the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24164/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has identified the most likely and realistic actions to be taken to reduce carbon emissions in line with EU targets and without negatively affecting the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24165/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has identified substantial means of carbon sequestration with a view to ensuring compliance ith EU carbon reduction targets without negatively affecting the agrifood business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24166/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 187, inclusive, together.

The extent of the challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with our EU and international commitments, is well understood by the Government, as reflected in the National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, published in April 2014, and now underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.

I published Ireland's first statutory National Mitigation Plan in July 2017. The objective of the National Mitigation Plan is to set out, on a whole-of-Government basis, what Ireland is doing and is planning to do to further our transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. The Plan reflects, in particular, the central roles of the Ministers responsible for the four key sectors with the most significant contribution to national emissions (Electricity Generation; the Built Environment; Transport; and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use), and draws on the perspectives of a range of other Departments.

Furthermore, each Minister is responsible for implementing the sectoral mitigation measures within their own sectors and for taking forward the actions to further develop those measures. Each Minister is also directly accountable and must report to the Oireachtas, under the 2015 Act, on progress in their respective sectors.

The most recent list of measures currently in place in the context of National Mitigation Plan is set out in the 2017 Annual Transition Statement, which I laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 8 December last. This Statement details the key measures in place in the respective sectors, the objective for each measure, estimated mitigation potential and funding information, where appropriate.

It is important to note that the National Mitigation Plan is a living document that will be updated as on-going analysis, dialogue and technological innovation generate more and more cost-effective sectoral mitigation options. This continuous review process reflects the broad and evolving nature of the sectoral challenges outlined in the Plan, coupled with the continued development and deployment of emerging low carbon and cost effective technologies across different sectors of the economy. This process will enable it to be amended, refined and strengthened over time and assist in keeping Ireland on target to meet our obligations. 

Building on the National Mitigation Plan, the publication in February of the National Development Plan will lead to a significant step change in funding available for climate action over the next decade. Almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. In addition, the NDP allocates a further €8.6 billion for investments in sustainable mobility. This capital investment will enable us to deliver a significant reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2030.

I will shortly publish an update on climate mitigation policy to coincide with the Empowering Communities for Climate Action event on 20 June, which will reflect the significant policy developments since the National Mitigation Plan, in particular with the publication of the National Development Plan.  

In terms of oversight and implementation, both the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework are overseen by a High Level Climate Action Steering Group, which I chair and which includes representation from relevant Government Departments and Agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This Steering Group reports, in turn, to the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action.

In relation to the potential of carbon sequestration to contribute to compliance with our greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, the recently-agreed EU Effort Sharing Regulation includes provision for net removals and emissions from deforested land, afforested land, managed cropland and managed grassland to be taken into account for a country’s compliance with its targets, under certain conditions. On the basis of current estimates, under this provision, Ireland is expected to be able to account for up to 22 million tonnes in net removals over the 2021-2030 period in partial compliance with our targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation.

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