Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
28. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action his Department is taking to help businesses decarbonise and prepare for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52654/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is actively pursuing opportunities for decarbonisation across enterprise and is integrating climate action into all aspects of the Department and its agencies’ activities. This approach recognises that those enterprises that make the move early to reduce their carbon footprint will be resilient to the impacts of climate change. The enterprise agencies will be aligning their programmes towards achieving the carbon abatement targets for enterprise, ensuring resilience in the transition to a low carbon economy.
Under its new strategy for the period 2021-2024, the IDA set a target of assisting their clients to develop 20 Corporate Climate Action Plans and to win 10 sustainability investments. These plans will set a baseline carbon footprint, an annual abatement target, and an outline of activities to drive abatement at a company level and the sustainability investments will embed sustainability among IDA client’s activities. The IDA will also seek to attract multinational corporations based overseas to invest in the green economy in Ireland, targeting those active in developing decarbonisation infrastructure and technologies.
Enterprise Ireland launched the Climate Enterprise Action Fund in 2021 to assist Irish companies to build the capabilities required to deliver sustainable products, services and business models. Furthermore, Enterprise Ireland is currently developing their corporate strategy for 2022 and will include a focus on climate action and sustainability.
My Department received approval from the EU for funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Fund to launch a programme to accelerate the decarbonisation of the enterprise sector. The programme consists of the Climate Enterprise Action Fund and the Carbon Reduction Fund . These funds, to be run in conjunction with EI and IDA Ireland, will address the imperative for decarbonisation across all businesses, particularly those that are unaware of their carbon footprint and get accelerated action on potential cost savings and abatement by incentivising the installation of Energy Metering and Monitoring Control Systems and increase the uptake of carbon neutral fuels in low/medium temperature heating in industry.
I expect to shortly launch an online Climate Toolkit 4 Business to assist all businesses, and small and micro enterprises, in particular, to make a good start in understanding and adapting their activities to assist in climate mitigation. The kit will include a simple carbon calculator and generate a tailored company climate action plan for each business.
My Department is fully committed to facilitating the transition to the low carbon economy and is encouraging enterprises to make the move early to avail of the opportunities lower carbon will have to offer. New jobs will emerge in the green economy in sectors such as renewable energies, environmental consultancy services, residential and commercial retrofitting and low carbon technology installation and electric vehicle infrastructure.
