Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
89. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on progress on commitments under the Climate Action Plan 2019 in tabular form if possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March of this year, I published a set of Interim Climate Actions, building on the Climate Action Plan 2019. The most recently published quarterly progress report on the Interim Climate Actions, which continues the reporting of the Climate Action Plan 2019, shows an average delivery rate of approximately 80%. Quarterly reports on the implementation of Climate Action Plan 2019 and the Interim Climate Actions can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade, and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions. The signing into law of Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act represents a significant milestone in achieving these climate goals. The Act significantly strengthens the overarching climate governance framework, places in law a national climate objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, and embeds a process of carbon budgeting, including sectoral emission ceilings. The plans and strategies established on a statutory footing under the Act will require that policies are put in place to ensure carbon budget ceilings are not breached. Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action.
Later this year we will publish Climate Action Plan 2021, the first plan adopted under the new Act. This will set out the programme of actions to achieve our climate goals.
