Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2021
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he has studied the basis on which other EU countries and non-EU countries propose to meet their carbon reduction targets while minimising the impact on industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53899/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. The EU and its Member States, acting jointly, submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC on 17 December 2020, which confirmed a commitment to a binding target of a net domestic reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.
This level of ambition for the next decade will put the EU on a balanced pathway to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. Legislative proposals to implement the new EU 2030 target have been presented by the European Commission in their "Fit for 55" package, and additional effort will be asked of all Member States, including Ireland.
All signatories to the Paris Agreement must submit an NDC to the UNFCC. NDCs embody efforts by each country or Party to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
