Written Answers Nos. 101-110
101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department defines the concept of just transition; and the information on which the definition is based. [35120/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government notes that the transition to a low-carbon future will unleash huge changes in society that, while presenting significant challenges, will also bring a range of opportunities, the impacts of which will be unevenly spread and will manifest themselves in different ways. The Programme for Government, therefore, affirms the necessity for a just transition pathway to be found, which delivers alternative job opportunities to sectors and regions most affected, and ensures that vulnerable groups are helped, as transformative policies are implemented. This will require the anticipation of challenges and planning for responses to them. The Programme for Government includes a number of specific commitments in relation to addressing this objective including:
- publishing a detailed all-of-government implementation plan consistent with the recommendations of the first report of the Just Transition Commissioner;
- establishing a standing Office of the Just Transition Commissioner, with appropriate staffing and resources;
- addressing the need to plan for just transition by identifying and preparing for challenges that will arise in a number of sectors and regions, recognising that there will be a variety of different transitions, and that it is clear that there will be no simple one-size fits all approach;
- ensuring that financing is available and continue to grow the size of the Just Transition Fund.
The Government will build on the work of a number of different organisations in further developing its policy on just transition and in implementing the Programme for Government commitments.
The Government recognises that the transition out of peat in the Midlands is the first test of a just transition for Ireland. The first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey, published on 22 May, reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the Midlands, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the region, and for Bord na Móna workers, their families and communities, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report contains important recommendations. The Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder, which I intend to publish in the coming weeks. The recommendations and associated actions will support job creation efforts and create new opportunities for Bord na Móna workers in the Midlands.
Our policy development will also be informed by the work of the National Economic and Social Council, including its published research on just transition and its conference last month on the theme of ‘Delivering a Just Transition for All.’ In addition, I welcome the inclusion, for the first time, of detailed analysis of just transition issues in most recent Annual Review of the Climate Change Advisory Council, published in September.
Our work on just transition also needs to be taken forward in the context of the EU Green Deal, which has identified the role of just transition in supporting the low carbon transition in a fair and inclusive way, and sets out the objective of managing the transition to address future significant structural changes in business models, skills requirements and relative prices, taking account of how citizens, depending on their social and geographic circumstances, will be affected in different ways.
106. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to make a policy statement on fossil fuel infrastructure development here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out that, as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas. The Programme for Government is clear that the Government does not support the importation of fracked gas and commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach. This policy statement is being developed by my Department and includes consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.
In addition, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. A request for tender for the technical analysis has recently been published.
The review will inform future policy in relation to natural gas supplies, gas storage, electricity interconnection, emergency reserves and other measures that would enhance our security of supply. This will be done in the context of the doubling of the electricity generated from renewable sources to 70% of Ireland’s final consumption and the achievement of net zero emissions by 2050.
I expect that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.
107. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the innovations he plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of his Department. [34558/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government sets out the Government's response to the significant challenges facing the country including COVID-19, decarbonising our economy and creating a sustainable future for all. As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government requires a massive step up in ambition and delivery in areas for which my Department is responsible including:
- supporting an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030;
- publishing a Just Transition Plan and supporting the work of the Just Transition Commissioner;
- developing a whole of Government plan setting out how we will deliver 70% renewable electricity by 2030, both onshore and offshore;
- developing and implementing a National Retrofitting Plan to retrofit 500,000 homes to BER B2 by 2030;
- progressing, and seeking to accelerate, the rollout of the National Broadband Plan;
- developing cyber security capacity to better protect citizens, companies and institutions; and
- evaluating the potential for contributions towards our climate ambition from land-use improvements and setting in train the development of a land-use plan, based on its findings.
This will require additional capacity and new approaches by the Department and its agencies. Insofar as capacity is concerned, an additional €5.6m has been provided in Budget 2021 to ensure that both the Department and SEAI can upscale to the level required. This will enable the recruitment of over 100 additional resources primarily in the energy and climate areas of the Department and in the retrofitting area of SEAI.
A new Statement of Strategy for my Department is currently being developed in accordance with the requirements of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The strategy will set out the vision and mission for my Department for the next three years and the key objectives, outputs and related strategies
across the broad portfolio for which we are responsible. It will, inter alia, address the comprehensive and ambitious suite of commitments in the Programme for Government to be delivered by my Department.
The Statement of Strategy is part of the wider Department and Government ecosystem and it will be aligned with the other strategic plans and programmes of my Department, such as the Climate Action Plan, as well as with strategic developments at EU level such as the European Green Deal and Shaping Europe's Digital Future.
An important part of the development process involves scanning the external environment to ensure that the Strategy reflects changes and challenges in society and the economy as well as technological advancements. Inherent in that part of the process is stakeholder engagement, an area where my Department has been building capacity and which is reflected in the approach taken to the development of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. We intend to continue to adopt a strong stakeholder focus in the preparation of the new Strategy.
Identifying the potential contribution from land-use towards our climate ambition in order to set in train a land-use plan will be a key element of my Department's work over the period of the Statement of Strategy. Innovation will be at the heart of this work, given it complexity, scale and the need to cooperate with other Departments, in particular the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and a diverse range of external stakeholders. It will be essential to initially gather and analyse the relevant data and information required to inform policy and understand potential implications in the context of the Government's wider economic, social and climate objectives.
In terms of the implementation of the Strategy, the recent Innovation Week showcased best practice in innovation across the public sector, including in my own Department. Examples of the innovative approaches adopted were in areas such as community engagement, technical certification programmes and geosciences. My Department intends to build on these and other projects to ensure innovation across the Department in delivery of the Strategy. There are a number of proposed mechanisms being considered in this regard including the broadening of an innovation hub to share best practice and case studies, hackathons to develop creative solutions and peer support groups.
109. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the plans of the ESB in relation to the power plants in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge (details supplied). [34998/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first progress report of the Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey, published on 22 May, reflects a comprehensive engagement with relevant stakeholders in the Midlands, setting out the analysis of the challenges facing the region, and for Bord na Móna workers, their families and communities, arising from an accelerated exit from peat harvesting. The report contains important recommendations. The Government is already acting on a number of these and is committed to preparing an implementation plan to address the remainder, which I intend to publish in the coming weeks. The recommendations and associated actions will support job creation efforts and create new opportunities for Bord na Móna workers in the Midlands. The recommendation of the Commissioner that a study be undertaken in relation to the future potential of the ESB power stations at both Lanesborough (Lough Ree Power) and Shannonbridge (West Offaly Power) for the establishment of a dedicated Energy Hub in the Midlands was subsequently included as a commitment in the Programme for Government.
While the management of ESB-owned facilities is the responsibility of the Board and management of ESB, the decision of the ESB, in November 2019, to close West Offaly and Lough Ree Power stations followed an extensive review of all options and was based on the key planning, climate and commercial factors associated with generation at the sites. My Department has been informed by the company that the current planning permissions for the two sites include an obligation to decommission the power plant and to remediate the sites by the end of 2022 and that, prior to any development opportunity taking place, ESB must satisfy the legal obligation to remediate the existing sites. In addition, I understand that the power plant equipment cannot be used for any purpose beyond December 2020 as neither the planning consents nor environmental licenses cover any such use.
Following the Programme for Government commitment, a feasibility study into the establishment of a Green Energy Hub using the existing infrastructure at the West Offaly and Lough Ree sites has now commenced. This study is being overseen by a steering group chaired by the ESB, and includes representatives of my Department, relevant Local Authorities, and other stakeholders. I expect that the work of the group will conclude by the end of this year, having regard to the timelines required to meet the company’s planning permission obligations in relation to both sites.
110. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied with the reliance on technological fixes for carbon removal in the climate action Bill; the division of labour he anticipates between same and emissions reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to achieve an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, including setting our 2050 target in law through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. Delivering our increased ambition to 2030 will require a doubling of effort from that set out in the 2019 Climate Action Plan. The 2019 Climate Action Plan represented an annual average emissions reduction of 3.5% on an economy-wide basis, and indicated how this effort would be allocated across sectors in the non-ETS Sector (Transport, Energy, Built Environment, Industry). This included increased reliance on renewables from 30% to 70%, accelerated shift to EVs with target of 950,000 EVs on the road by 2030 and retrofits to approximately 500,000 homes of B2 BER rating. The next iteration of the Climate Action Plan will need to identify additional initiatives in every sector, beyond the 2019 Plan, to meet the increased scale and depth of our ambition.
While it is not possible to indicate the specific policies at this time, it will be informed by further detailed technical modelling and research, and require measures to reduce and remove greenhouse gases which offer the least burdens and the greatest opportunities in our pathway to decarbonise. Nature-based solutions and sustainable land management practices, such as carbon sinks and rewetting peatlands, will have a significant role in contributing to balancing certain greenhouse gases. These measures will be coupled with emerging technological means developed and identified over time.
The increased scale and depth of our climate ambition is consistent with the approach being discussed at EU level. Both domestically and at EU level, it is recognised that we are not yet in a position to identify all the emerging technologies, changing scientific consensus or policies to meet our full ambition. However, committed research in the area and the continued intensive updating of mitigation measures over the decade, and beyond, will ensure that we remain on course to achieve our climate ambition.
To this end, the Bill provides for a significantly strengthened climate governance structure which includes annual revisions to the Climate Action Plan to address the need for intensive and regular monitoring and updating of policy actions to ensure we remain on track and within our emission limits.
To ensure that Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation in meeting our climate targets, the Programme for Government also commits to introducing a transformational programme of research and development. For 2020, my Department provided €12.5million to the EPA and SEAI to undertake research and development activities in the field of climate, energy and low carbon. Research funding is also provided to the Geological Survey Ireland for this area, which has an increased total budget of €1.65 million in 2020.
