Climate Change Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021

Thursday, 4 November 2021

Ceisteanna (17)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor progress towards meeting carbon emission requirements with a view to, in the first instance, providing for alternative electricity generation by way of wind, solar, wave or other alternatives or the most likely options to make a serious impact on providing renewable energy within five years, thus eliminating the need for negative impacts on the agrifood sector or other sectors deemed to be central to carbon reduction; if an evaluation has been done as to the extent of such a reduction within a five-year period in the event of a dramatically reduced dependence on fossil-generated electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52711/21]

Freagraí ó Béal (2 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Bernard J. Durkan

This question seeks to raise the importance of the options that are most likely and readily available to deal with the pressing issue of climate change and the urgent necessity to respond.

Deputy Ossian Smyth

This is a timely question given that the climate action plan will come out today. The question is not whether but how we do this. How do we do it in a way that is fair, acceptable and just, one which people will buy into and see makes sense? The Deputy's asked if we can do more on electricity and, in that way, avoid changing other sectors. The electricity sector has high ambitions. It is looking at achieving 80% renewables by 2030. I hope I am not giving away anything from the climate action plan. Electricity will take an enormous share of the burden and other sectors will take a lighter share as a result.

When we think about cutting emissions it is easy to think about the energy and electricity sector and forget about the production of concrete and cement and other areas that produce CO2 in a quieter way and go unnoticed. They must also be addressed.