Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the extent to which he expects to move towards accelerating the programme of emission-reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25536/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks the ten steps most likely to achieve the greatest progress in achieving climate action targets; the time frame within which he plans or expects to meet such targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question Nos 175 and 177 together.
The next ten years are critical if we are to address the climate crisis which threatens our safe future on this planet. The Programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 - a 51% reduction over the decade - and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The 2050 target will be set in law by the Climate Action Bill, which will be introduced in the Dáil early next month.
This step-change in ambition will be challenging and require fundamental changes in so many parts of Irish life, but I believe that Ireland can and will rise to this challenge. In doing so we will be able to improve the health, welfare and security of all our people. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will identify and set out the far reaching policy changes across every sector to deliver these emissions reductions. In particular, the Programme for Government commits to:
- Delivering a National Aggregated Model of Retrofitting reaching over 500,000 homes by 2030, as part of the EU Renovation Wave.
- Learning from district heating pilot projects to launch a scaled-up programme.
- Accelerating the electrification of the transport system, including electric bikes, electric vehicles, and electric public transport.
- Developing a strategy for remote working and remote service delivery, taking advantage of the opportunity for a rapid roll-out of the National Broadband Plan.
- Ensuring an unprecedented modal shift in all areas by a reorientation of investment to walking, cycling and public transport.
- Developing a new Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan.
- Introducing a transformational programme of research and development, to ensure that Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation in meeting our climate targets.
- Developing a major drive to realise the immense potential of Ireland's offshore renewables.
- Devising a systemic programme of sectoral audits of the commercial and industrial sector to underpin, area by area, strategies to meet the new national targets.
- Expanding and incentivising micro generation, including roof-top solar energy.
- Developing a new strategy to expand afforestation, particularly Close to Nature Forestry and agro-forestry.
- Transforming the scale of organics farming, with the delivery of a fair price for farmers at its heart.
- Building on Ireland's relative carbon efficiency in food production and ensuring the delivery of the measures identified by Teagasc to the fullest extent possible.
- Delivering an incremental and ambitious reduction in the use of inorganic fertiliser through to 2030.
- Rapidly evaluating the potential role of sustainable bioenergy.
- Completing and implementing a major Waste and Circular Economy Action Plan.
The objective to be carbon neutral is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The European Commission has just presented its plan to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. It is intended that both the 2030 and 2050 targets will be enshrined in the EU Climate Law. Parliament and Council have been invited to confirm this 55% 2030 target as the EU's new Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and to submit this to the UNFCCC by the end of this year. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target will be presented by June 2021, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States including Ireland.
€30.4 billion is allocated for investment in climate action over the lifetime of Ireland's National Development Plan 2018 – 2027 (NDP), and the Programme for Government commits to legislating to hypothecate all additional carbon tax revenue into a Climate Action Fund raising an estimated €9.5 billion over the next ten years. The Programme for Government also commits to directly draw on the National Economic Plan and associated funding to front load investment that is directly aligned with our climate ambition. In terms of EU funding, the €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery package and €1 trillion budget require that money can only be spent on projects that meet certain green criteria, with 30% of all funding to go on climate change mitigation. Ireland will seek to maximise the drawdown of its share of this funding.
Failure to accelerate emissions reduction will have far reaching negative impacts on the economy and the public finances; undermine the long-term, sustainable competitiveness of the economy; and lock Ireland into a redundant fossil-fuel based economic model. Embracing the transition will support further job creation through the development of new and emerging sectors. The green economy, including the retrofitting and renewable energy sector, the circular economy, clean mobility, green and blue infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and the bio-economy will create high quality employment opportunities that will be a source of significant employment growth over the coming decades, as well as supporting a stable tax base
