Written Answers Nos. 69-85
69. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has considered the use of additional methodologies to measure energy deprivation and vulnerability to energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6127/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 13 December Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan. The Plan is available on gov.ie and sets out the range of measures being implemented this winter, as well as key longer-term measures, to ensure that those least able to afford increased energy costs are supported and protected to adequately heat and power their homes.
Effective ways of defining, measuring and tracking energy poverty are essential for designing sound policy responses. Chapter 3 of the Plan sets out the challenges in doing this. Currently, the measurement of energy poverty in Ireland used by the ESRI is based on the level of expenditure on energy in a household. Households spending above 10% of total income on their energy needs (excluding energy for transport) are counted in the current measurement of energy poverty. Using this metric the ESRI estimated that the share of households that could be at risk of energy poverty had risen to 29.4% in 2022. However, this measurement does not account for the energy efficiency of a home and is unable to identify households with the largest burden after increases in energy prices. It also does not capture levels of energy deprivation, which is where people are not spending money on energy in the first place because they can't afford it.
In response, as set out in the plan, as part of the ESRI’s research programme, Government is providing funding to examine whether existing supports are well-targeted towards those who are at risk of energy poverty and the impact of those supports on the level of energy poverty. As part of this research the ESRI will:
- propose a metric for measuring energy poverty that combines expenditure and energy efficiency;
- propose metrics to measure changes in the trend of fuel poverty regarding the number of households and its severity;
The implementation of the new Action Plan is being monitored by a cross-departmental Steering Group, chaired by my department.
70. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will indicate the processes that he has put in place to set sectoral targets under the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9529/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s strategic approach to the Circular Economy is currently set out in the Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023. Section 7 of the Circular Economy Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (‘the Act’) provides a statutory basis for future iterations of the Strategy, and also requires that such iterations include targets aimed at promoting circularity across the range of resource-intensive economic sectors specified in the Act.
My Department has begun preparing the second iteration of the Strategy, which will be published on a statutory basis and will be fully in compliance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Act. The new Strategy will be submitted for Government approval, following a public consultation, before the end of this year.
In order to provide a robust evidence base for the new Strategy, my Department is in the process of commissioning a national circularity assessment and material flow analysis, based on an internationally recognised methodology. This assessment will inform the sectoral priorities of the new Strategy in general and the setting of sectoral targets in particular. I intend to publish the results of the assessment either alongside or as part of the Strategy.
Additionally, a sectoral Circular Construction Roadmap is being prepared my Department, in conjunction with an expert subgroup of the Construction Sector Group chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This work will, inter alia, inform the new Strategy’s approach to the Construction sector including target setting. The Roadmap will also be submitted to Government before the end of this year.
71. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the total amount of carbon credits purchased by the State since 2019 to date; the planned purchase for the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9970/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol (2013 to 2020), EU Member States contributed collectively to the EU’s emissions reduction targets by meeting nationally binding annual emissions reduction targets set out in the EU Effort Sharing Decision (ESD). These targets cover sectors outside the EU Emissions Trading System and Ireland has been fully compliant in every year.
The legislative framework of the ESD provides for a number of compliance options beyond direct emissions reductions, including purchasing international carbon credits and trading surplus annual emission allowances (AEAs) between Member States. This approach enables flexibility among Member States to achieve targets as efficiently and as fairly as possible.
Since 2019, the State has purchased 2.94 million international carbon credits and is in the process of purchasing 4.15 million AEAs from Slovakia - a total of 7.09 million carbon credits/emissions allowances at a combined cost of €5.02 million.
The ESD is succeeded by the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which covers emissions for the years 2021 to 2030. While the revised ESR is yet to be formally adopted, the stated objective of government policy is to comply with EU targets through direct emissions reductions and, if necessary, to avail of the other compliance options available under the ESR. Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out the necessary additional policies and measures that Ireland must take to meet these revised emissions reductions targets and Government Departments will continue to prioritise climate action and full implementation of Climate Action Plan measures.
72. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to improve the average wait time for the better energy warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9924/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government supports households most at risk of energy poverty to improve the energy performance of their homes through schemes administered by the SEAI. In 2022 this included the Warmer Homes scheme and the Warmth and Well-being pilot scheme.
Delivering these free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing waiting times is a key priority for Government. Demand for these upgrades is very high with over 9,900 applications received in 2022 and over 900 additional applications received in January 2023 alone.
Data provided by SEAI indicates that last year:
- A record €98 million was spent on these schemes;
- This delivered 4,438 free energy upgrades - an increase of 85% on 2021;
- The average value of the upgrades provided in the second half of 2022 was almost €22,000. This compares to an average spend of €3,450 in 2017 and gives a clear indication of the scale of work now being carried out in these homes;
- Over the course of 2022, SEAI achieved an average of more than 400 upgrades per month, more than double the monthly average of 177 in 2021;
- Average wait times under the scheme reduced slightly from 27 months in 2021 to 26 months in 2022.
A range of steps have been taken to enhance the capacity of the scheme and deliver increased numbers of upgrades. This includes additional staff in SEAI working on the scheme as well as measures to deal with ongoing supply chain and inflationary pressures. Additional funding of €248 million for the scheme has also been secured for the period to 2027 from the European Regional Development Fund.
Looking to this year, an unprecedented budget of €148.5 million has been allocated to the scheme which will deliver 6,000 additional home upgrades.
My Department is working with the SEAI to identify approaches that can further increase the number of energy upgrades delivered to low income households. This will include a new contractor panel for the scheme to be established later this year. It is intended that the panel will be in place for 4 years, with an estimated contract budget of €700 million for that period.
73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has any concerns about the impact on the State’s climate targets from the recently announced plans by a major company to build another hyper-scale data centre in Dublin; if he has any plans to introduce a moratorium on such centres, given that this is additional to 16 confirmed cases of new data centres approved for connection to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9971/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that during the period 2010-2021 EirGrid, the body responsible for developing and managing the national electricity grid, entered into 16 connection agreements for the purposes of data centre connections. However, no new data centres have been offered a connection to the grid since the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published on 23 November 2021 the “CRU Direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing” (CRU/21/124). This decision requires data centre connections to have on-site generation (and/or battery storage) that is sufficient to meet their own demand.
In July 2022, the Government published a new statement on the role of data centres in Ireland’s enterprise strategy. The statement addresses sustainable data centre development to align with Ireland’s renewable energy targets, security of supply, sectoral green house gas emissions, and climate priorities. The goal of this policy is to ensure the positive benefits for sustainability are maximised and that digital technologies are used in a sustainable manner to ensure the energy and circular economy challenges from digitalisation are aligned with our climate objectives. My Department is working regularly across relevant agencies and government departments to support the effective implementation of this policy.
The recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out a plan to implement the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings along with a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as was committed to in the Programme for Government. The plan sets out measures and actions to ensure electricity demand is managed in line with our climate objectives.
Flexible and decarbonised demand from large energy users, such as data centres, is critical to protecting security of supply and ensuring consistency with the binding carbon budgets. As such the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will publish an Electricity Demand side strategy and implementation plan this year. Additionally, the CRU will also carry out a review into the current gas and electricity connection policies for new Large Energy Users.
74. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the current status of farmers being permitted to burn bushes on their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9922/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 were signed into law on 27 January 2023. The regulations extend the exemption for the burning of green waste generated by agricultural practices, which expired on January 1, 2023, for a further two-month period to March 1, 2023, and then re-opens the exemption for a further three-month period from September 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023.
75. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department's projected number of deep retrofits and heat pump installations that will be required each year to meet his Department’s target of 500,000 deep retrofits and 400,000 heat pumps by 2030. [9860/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan includes targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide and is a core element of the Government's plan to reduce emissions from the residential sector.
In order to reach this target, the Climate Action Plan 2023 includes targets to: retrofit the equivalent of 120,000 dwellings to BER B2 or cost optimal equivalent level and install 45,000 heat pumps in existing dwellings in the period 2019-2025.
For the second half of the decade, targets will ramp up significantly to deliver on average, approximately 75,000 B2-equivalent home upgrades per year from 2026 to 2030 to achieve the overall target by the end of the decade. Final data from the SEAI shows that 27,200 home energy upgrades were delivered last year, exceeding the targeted level.
The National Development Plan and National Retrofit Plan have ring-fenced €8 billion in capital funding to the end of the decade to support the achievement of these objectives.
Budget 2023 has provided an Exchequer allocation of over €356 million in capital funding for SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes (including the Solar PV scheme).This allocation is the highest ever and will deliver over 37,000 home energy upgrades this year including over 13,800 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 and 6,000 free upgrades under the SEAI free energy upgrade scheme.
76. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals to reduce the amount of polyethylene terephthalate, PET, plastic exported from Ireland; if he has considered introducing a levy on the use of virgin plastics; and if his Department will collate data on the quantities of PET plastic that are recycled domestically and exported. [9966/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, the waste management industry in Ireland relies, in part, on the export market to meet its processing needs for the volumes of waste packaging produced. While there is no EU or international waste code that facilitates PET data collection, several organisations collate data on different aspects of PET, plastic waste, recycling and exports.
- The National Transfrontier Shipment Office maintains records of waste exports much of which is published online.
- The Environmental Protection Agency collects packaging waste data and publishes this information online.
- Repak, the national packaging producer responsibility scheme, incentivises domestic recycling providing a reprocessing subsidy of €80 per tonne for plastic re-processors based in Ireland.
Under the Single Use Plastics Directive, Ireland will be required to report on separate collection for recycling targets of plastic bottles in 2025. The Deposit Return Scheme launched in November last year will provide specific data on PET plastic bottles.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2020 - 2025 commits to examining measures to support increased use of recycled materials in packaging including the possible introduction of a virgin plastic levy. However, any intervention in the market must be carefully assessed and take account of a fast-evolving policy landscape in the EU. Recent European Commission proposals for new Packaging and Packaging Waste legislation that includes mandatory recycled plastic content rates will be particularly influential. It will be important that any measures taken nationally will not run contrary to the policy direction evolving across the single market.
77. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has a forecast for wind energy production in 2023, and for how far it will go in terms of meeting Ireland’s energy needs, given that wind energy production here accounted for 34% of the country’s energy needs in 2022. [9855/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Climate Action Plan 2023, Government set an ambitious target of having an 80% share of electricity generation capacity coming from renewable sources by 2030. The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is one of the major Government policies to help Ireland meet that target.
Wind is, by far, the largest contributing source of renewable electricity in Ireland, and is second only to natural gas in terms of electricity generated in Ireland in 2021, as per the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s 2022 Energy in Ireland Report. With approximately 4,403 MW of connected wind generation capacity, we are in the top five globally for installed wind power capacity per capita and it is clear wind will continue to play a vital role in decarbonising the electricity sector as we aim to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1) was held in 2020 and as a result of that pathway being provided for renewable developers, 2022 was a record year for the connection of renewable electricity capacity to the grid. More RESS 1 projects are expected to connect to the grid throughout 2023. The second RESS auction (RESS 2) was held in 2022, with the successful projects in that auction representing a nearly 20% increase on current renewable electricity generation capacity. Projects from RESS 2 will start to connect to the grid between the end of this year and 2025.
Officials in my Department are currently working on progressing the next two RESS auctions, RESS 3 for onshore renewables, and ORESS 1 (Offshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme) for offshore wind, with both expected to be held later this year.
78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of pollution caused in ground water by wastewater systems from single house treatment systems; the steps he is taking to eliminate this damage to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9735/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no function with regard to the policy or legislation in respect of single house wastewater treatment systems. This is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the benefits of HVO biofuels in its use as a very low emission home-heating source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9918/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 February 2021, his plans to provide grants for conversion to hydrotreated vegetable oil, from kerosene to enable the decarbonisation of old housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9647/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps that are currently being taken to embrace hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels by his Department. [9844/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 118 and 144 together.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 includes a range of measures to address the use of fossil fuel in heating systems in buildings and the National Heat Study contains the detailed analysis that is informing the development of options, policies and measures to decarbonise the heating and cooling sectors to 2050. The Study considered a number of potential decarbonisation options for a wide range of dwelling and business types. This included the use of liquid biofuels such as HVO, solid biomass, biogases and other technologies such as heat pumps and district heating networks.
The recommendation of the Heat Study is that heat pumps are the optimal decarbonisation path for domestic heating systems, with district heating also being a competitive option that can be widely deployed. There are, therefore, no current plans to provide grants for conversion to hydrotreated vegetable oil from kerosene.
Liquid renewable fuels may be best used in transport systems that are more difficult to decarbonise and their use should be incentivised in the transport energy market. HGVs and the aviation sector have no alternative for sustainable fuel, unlike the domestic heating for which we can turn to other alternatives. Biofuels are a core transitional technology relied upon for the medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the road transport sector.
To facilitate the decarbonisation and overall energy use needs of our building stock, the Government has established a Heat and Built Environment Delivery Task force and will publish a new National Policy Statement on Heat to guide the Government’s overall response to the National Heat Study across all sectors.
The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal level and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide. The budget of €8 billion to the end of the decade and annual allocations set out in the National Development Plan and National Retrofit Plan, underlines the Government’s commitment to achieving these targets.
A particularly important aspect of the Retrofit Plan was the launch, last year, of a new package of enhanced SEAI retrofit supports. Demand across the SEAI residential and community energy upgrade schemes (including Solar PV) was exceptionally high following the introduction of these measures. Over 50,000 applications were received in 2022 which is up 150% on 2021 levels and points to a robust pipeline of activity for 2023.
The Department is working with SEAI to build on this strong performance across the schemes. A target of 37,000 retrofits has been set for 2023, and a record €348 million Exchequer allocation for residential and community retrofit was announced as part of Budget 2023 to support the achievement of this target.
My Department has also established a District Heating Steering Group which will, by end March, make recommendations to Government on district heating matters such as; governance, regulatory framework; planning; and legislation.
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which he continues to ensure the meeting of emission targets, while protecting the agri-food industry, given the likelihood of food shortages in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9889/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later this year. For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emission reduction target by 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target by 2030.
The 2023 Climate Action Plan has outlined how these emissions reductions can be achieved in the coming years, by increasing our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. The targets set will improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing and will expand the organic sector to 450,000 ha, and the tillage sector to 400,000 ha. It will also reduce our use of chemical fertilizer to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes by 2030.
My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our carbon emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. The challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our agriculture sector while ensuring our food security, is also a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production.
81. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to tackle the high air pollution levels recently recorded in towns across the country. [9856/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraData from our network of monitoring stations demonstrates that the measures we have taken to protect our air quality have been effective overall. Where periodic spikes in air pollution levels have been observed, they have been primarily due to the burning of solid fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that such “spikes” occur primarily during times of certain weather conditions, such as still air and fog, when pollutants are not dispersed in the usual manner.
Nonetheless, each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through enhanced regulation of all solid fuels, and enforcement of those regulations. Last year I introduced new regulations to set minimum standards for all solid fuels being placed on the market in Ireland, ensuring that the most polluting can no longer be made available. Using solid fuels less often and using only low smoke fuels is the best way to reduce this source of air pollution.
In addition, the national Clean Air Strategy, currently being finalised by my Department, will commit us to further cutting levels of the most damaging and dangerous pollutants in order to help us move towards the guideline limits recommended by the World Health Organisation. The Strategy will also identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Government’s review of energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9837/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe consultation on the review of the security of energy supply for Ireland electricity and gas systems was published on the 19 September 2022 and the deadline for responses was the 28 October. My Department received over 450 consultation responses from a broad range of stakeholders and these responses are providing valuable insights into the views of stakeholders which will assist in informing the energy security of supply review. The completion of the review is a priority and once complete, I will bring my recommendations to Government for consideration.
83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have made any progress with respect to supporting full-time residents in mobile homes by providing much-needed vital access to the €200 electricity payments, given that the payment is intended to be issued to all principal residences; if he will issue a statement of intent to support this vulnerable cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9535/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices has had on households and has prioritised action across Government to support people to stay warm and well through this winter. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package included an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) is being credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT). The first two payments have already been made to accounts and the third will be credited by suppliers to accounts from 1 March. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion.
The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process.
Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. While one credit is applied per domestic MPRN, there are cohorts such as households on commercial connections, that did not receive the payment. Officials from my Department are examining this matter to determine if a solution can be developed.
Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses.
On 13 December, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. Officials from my Department are working with colleagues from other relevant Departments to get this fund up and running. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is also available to provide budgeting advice and advocacy support.
84. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered the policy implications of the ESRI's assessment of the embodied emissions in Irish imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note the ESRI’s assessment of the embodied emissions in Irish imports and welcome the insight it provides. While Ireland’s climate policy primarily focuses on reducing production-based emissions in line with international accounting rules for national greenhouse gas inventories, it also considers the wider impacts of climate policy, including consumption-based emissions. The 2023 Climate Action Plan sets out cross-cutting and circular economy policies which will shape public procurement and the use of resources in our economy. Other policies included in the 2023 Climate Action Plan which aim to target production-based emissions can also reduce our carbon footprint. For example, policies designed to stimulate demand for alternative construction materials will lower the use of high carbon intensive products.
A well-established circular economy provides more access to better designed products, which can be shared, reused, repaired and remade thereby minimising the use of resources. This provides opportunities for local manufacture and remanufacture, supporting jobs and services while reducing the impact on the quality of our water, air, soil and health. Moving to a circular economy will play an important part in reducing global carbon emissions and protecting our natural resources, environment and health. The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 is a key step in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy and provides a robust statutory framework for moving from a focus on managing waste to a much greater focus on adapting patterns of production and consumption.
At EU level, provisional agreement has been reached on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. In addition to reducing carbon leakage and enabling a reduction in the free allocation of allowances in the EU Emissions Trading System, the policy will also incentivise emissions reductions in third countries. This protects Irish and EU industries facing carbon pricing from cheaper carbon-intensive imports, and while that high emissions production processes are not simply relocated to third countries.
85. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can clarify the Government’s plan to deal with recent EPA figures that show increases in CO2 emissions in the State, and that Ireland is the worst performer in the EU, according to EUROSTAT data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9972/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile full and final emissions data for 2022 is not yet available, recent reports from the EPA and Eurostat have indicated that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2021 and may also have increased in 2022 as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. While EPA models for projected emissions are unable to take into account all policies and measures which have been committed to in our Climate Action Plans, the EPA’s reporting suggests a concerning trend which underlines the challenge of the climate crisis and the urgency with which we must respond.
Notwithstanding the anticipated increase in emissions in 2021 as the country emerged from the most severe Covid-19 restrictions, we must consider how to accelerate the measures and actions that will not only reduce our emissions but will also support new ways of conducting business and encouraging innovation. To reverse the current trajectory of emissions and meet our 2030 and 2050 targets, a significant shift is required in the speed at which we implement the policies, measures and actions that will decarbonise our economy and improve our indigenous supply of sustainable and renewable energy.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, significantly strengthens the legally binding framework for climate governance in Ireland, and the sectoral emissions ceilings set out a clear pathway for meeting our carbon budgets and Ireland’s commitment to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030.
These ceilings are reflected in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which was published on 21 December 2022. CAP23 builds on the 2021 Plan and sets out the policies, measures and actions needed to keep us within our carbon budgets and on the pathway to a net zero-emissions economy by no later than 2050. The process to deliver CAP23 included my Department engaging with other Government Departments, State Agencies and civil society to identify opportunities for accelerating climate action.
The establishment of delivery task forces to accelerate and drive climate action delivery in a number of key areas (including Offshore Wind; Heating and the Built Environment; and Sustainable Mobility) will support the acceleration in implementation of impactful decarbonising measures.
