Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
940. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the targets set in relation to reducing the carbon emissions of the transport sector in Galway city; the proposed immediate, intermediate and long-term steps in order to achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing carbon emissions is a national challenge and requires concerted efforts across the country. In this regard the National Mitigation Plan was published in 2017 and begins to set Ireland on a pathway towards decarbonisation with over 100 actions to reduce emissions from the electricity generation, built environment, agricultural and transport sectors.
Although Ireland's emission reduction targets are national in nature the transport sector will of course have to play a significant role in the mitigation effort. I am acutely aware of the specific challenges we face where travel demand is growing and fossil fuel use is firmly established. To address this challenge, emission reductions and energy efficiencies are being strongly pursued through four main channels.
Firstly, we are increasing investment in the public and sustainable transport to support modal shift and accommodate growing travel demand. An efficient public transport sector is a key priority in meeting our climate change goals. The NDP has committed €8.6 billion to public transport over the next 10 years to 2027. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to providing an alternative to the private car: not only to reduce congestion and emissions but also to enable the transport sector to cater, in an environmentally sustainable way, for the increasing demands associated with growing population and employment. Major projects planned include: BusConnects, which will transform the bus network in our cities with new and expanded bus routes, greatly improved bus access, designated segregated cycle lanes and park and ride facilities; investment in the DART Expansion Programme; and the MetroLink. We also have multi-annual urban Cycling and Walking Infrastructure investment underway for our main cities.
Secondly, we are encouraging a transition away from fossil fuels. In the 'National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland' I firmly outlined my ambition that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland would be zero-emission capable. To support this ambition and a Programme for Partnership Government commitment, an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Taskforce was jointly convened by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Phase 1 of the Taskforce considered a range of measures and options to accelerate the deployment of EVs. Arising from their recommendations further generous incentives for EVs were announced as part of Budgets 2018 and 2019 aimed at assisting all drivers in purchasing hybrid or electric cars, including significant toll reductions. Phase 1 of the LEV Taskforce is now complete and the LEV Taskforce Progress Report is available on my Department's website. Phase 2 has begun its work and will consider the options available to Government to support the deployment of other alternative fuels, namely natural gas, biomethane, hydrogen, and synthetic/paraffinic fuels, with a particular emphasis on the heavy duty vehicle sector.
Thirdly, the Biofuels Obligation Scheme plays a major role in decarbonising the road transport sector in Ireland. The penetration of biofuels as a share of road transport energy has increased significantly over recent years from a share of 4 % in 2010 to 8% (by volume) from 2017. It is intended that the biofuel obligation scheme will be incrementally increased on a sustainable basis to help meet the renewable transport target of 10% by 2020 as set under the Renewable Energy Directive. The obligation rate will increase to 10% by volume from 1 January 2019; and again to 11% by volume from 1 January 2020.
Finally, an important role will be played by more efficient standards for vehicles. Ireland continues to push strongly for better EU vehicles standards, seeking greater ambition in regulations that ensure vehicles registered in Europe are increasingly more efficient and less emitting. It is through better technology and improved efficiency that carbon emissions generated by vehicles can be decoupled from increased economic activity and population growth.
The Deputy specifically references reduction of transport emissions in Galway city, where Galway County Council and Galway City Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA), have developed the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS): an Integrated Transport Strategy for Galway City and Environs. The NTA is also working closely with Galway on the transport elements of the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs), Regional, Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) and aligning these with metropolitan transport strategies. The integration of land-use and transportation is essential in creating sustainable city living. The alignment of settlement and land-use patterns with an integrated transportation strategy can provide opportunities to reduce car dependency and allow for greater investment in alternative means of travel including public transport, walking and cycling. It also delivers considerable benefits in terms of reduced congestion, reduced emissions, enhanced health and well-being and has benefits for the public realm.
