Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
75. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail, on an annual basis, the specific projects and associated funding allocated through the Climate Action Fund, whether the project is categorised as a climate or biodiversity one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45635/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe types of projects that can be funded under the Climate Action Fund are set out in the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (as amended) section 37B(9). All the projects under the fund can be categorised as climate projects as otherwise they would not have received CAF funding. Regarding biodiversity, the Act provides that funding can be provided for projects, initiatives or research, inter alia, projects that enhance biodiversity through nature-based projects that seek to reduce, or increase the removal of, greenhouse gas emissions or support climate resilience in the State. The Act does not allow for general biodiversity projects.
The following projects have been allocated funding from the Climate Action Fund:
|
Project |
Funding allocated € |
Year Allocated |
|
ESB Electric Vehicle High Power Charging Infrastructure Development Project |
10,000,000 |
2018 |
|
GRAZE Gas – Green Renewable Agricultural Zero Emissions Gas |
8,474,340 |
2018 |
|
Hybrid Drive for Inter City Railcar (ICR 22000) fleet |
15,000,000 |
2018 |
|
Dublin District Heating System |
20,000,000 |
2018 |
|
The South Dublin County Council Tallaght District Heating Scheme |
4,447,952 |
2018 |
|
Local Authority Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project |
17,476,463 |
2018 |
|
Driving HGV Efficiently into Brexit |
1,373,400 |
2018 |
|
Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme |
108,000,000 |
2020 |
|
Community Climate Action Programme phase 1 and 2: - Strand 1 - Strand 2 - Creative Climate Action |
€60,000,000: - €48,000,000 - €10,000,000 - €2,000,000 |
2021 |
|
Climate Action Fund LIFE Programme 2021 Co-financing Grant |
€1,712,666 |
2021 |
|
Solar Panels for Schools |
€64,000,000 |
2022 |
|
Sustainable Transport |
€50,000,000 |
2022 |
|
Supports for Business |
€50,000,000 |
2022 |
|
Creative Climate Action Phase 2 Additional |
€1,545,021 |
2023 |
Individual projects under the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP) can have elements that also support biodiversity. However, the CCAP projects are typically mixed projects with a variety of objectives and can fall under any of the allowable projects under the NORA Act.
While the Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme could be considered a biodiversity project (with significant climate benefits), it should be noted that funding for this project is to be reimbursed to the CAF through the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund.
