Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
38. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the changes he plans to make to current Government policy on climate action in light of the recent IPCC report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43674/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, ‘Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis’ reconfirms the limited window in which there is to act to prevent more devastating impacts of climate change and underlines the increasing urgency needed to tackle the climate crisis. Recognising this urgency, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and provide a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels). It also establishes a significantly strengthened climate governance framework to support delivery of these targets.
My objective over the coming weeks is to agree an ambitious and comprehensive set of climate actions, through the Climate Action Plan 2021, that will position us to meet our new climate targets. This will mean more renewable energy, decreased transport emissions, changes in how we heat our homes and how we grow our food and look after our land. These steps will be challenging, but they will also create new opportunities.International cooperation and coordination is also needed to limit global temperature rises. In this context, I will lead Ireland’s Climate Delegation for COP26. Ireland is committed to engaging constructively in the finalisation of the Paris Rulebook and will also continue to advocate for climate action to be informed by the best available science.
