I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 81 and 85 together.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, published last October, confirmed that the international community has a limited window for real action to reduce emissions to ensure that current and future generations can live sustainably in a low-carbon and climate-resilient world.
The decision of the Dail to declare, on Thursday 9 May, a climate and biodiversity emergency in the context of endorsing the report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action is a significant statement. It underlines the importance that all Parties in the Dail attach to taking urgent action on climate.
In response to this challenge, the All of Government Climate Plan will set out how this Government intends to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change by driving the delivery of policies to reduce emissions in all key sectors, including electricity, agriculture, transport, industry, buildings, and the public sector. The Plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including clear timelines and steps needed to achieve each action.
It will lead to a significant step-up in policy ambition and delivery, to ensure that we at least meet our 2030 targets and get on a clear pathway to meeting our 2050 objectives.
I have welcomed the publication of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action, and acknowledge the important work of the members and chair of the Committee in preparing this milestone report in relation to Ireland’s climate policy. This report builds on the strong foundation provided by the work of the Citizens’ Assembly in 2018.
The final report of the Committee contains a detailed set of recommendations addressing polices and measures across a range of Government Departments and agencies, including in relation to the alternative energy and transport sectors. The recommendations are now being taken up by the Government in the context of the All of Government Climate Plan.
I intend that the All of Government Plan will be published over the coming weeks.
