Written Answers Nos. 74-85
74. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide the details of the source of the revenues paid into the Climate Action Fund, on an annual basis from 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45634/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a copy of annual accounts of the Climate Action Fund, as submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45636/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 76 together.
The Climate Action Fund (CAF) was established on a statutory basis, with effect from 1 August 2020, on the commencement of the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Treasury Services Act, 2020.
Details and the source of revenues paid into the Climate Action Fund from 2020 are set out in the following table:
|
CAF Income |
Sector |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
NORA Levy |
Energy |
|
€124m* |
€92m |
** |
|
Energy Efficiency National Fund |
Public Sector/Government |
|
€20.3m |
€1.2m |
|
|
Civil Service Emissions Offsets |
Public Sector/Government |
|
€75k |
€1k |
€95K |
|
Vote transfer for Bord na Mona Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme |
Public Sector/Government |
|
€7.6m |
|
|
*€28m in respect of 2020 and €96m in respect of 2021.
**The 2023 lodgement from the NORA Levy is expected to be made to the Climate Action Fund in December 2023.
I have also attached the 2020 and 2021 Climate Action Fund financial statements. 2022 Climate Action Fund 2022 income and expenditure is set out below.
|
2022 Climate Action Fund Income and Expenditure |
|
|
Income |
|
|
National Oil Reserves Agency Levy |
92,000,000 |
|
Offset of greenhouse gas emissions associated with all Government air travel |
102,638 |
|
Total Income |
92,102,638 |
|
Expenditure |
|
|
Climate Action Fund Call 1 Payments |
2,257,589 |
|
Bord na Móna Bog Rehabilitation Scheme |
12,707,362 |
|
Community Climate Action Programme |
2,317,181 |
|
Total Expenditure |
17,282,132 |
The financial statements for 2022 have been submitted to the C&AG and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas once the C&AG audit is complete.
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.
77. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of legal cases taken against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45395/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department, and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
78. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if grants are provided to a landowner who gives land over for windmills to be built on their land (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a world leader in the level of existing onshore wind per capita and with target to nearly double existing capacity to 9 GW by 2030 as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023.
My Department doesn't directly provide grants to landowners for the purposes of renting or leasing lands for the production of electricity using wind turbines. However, through the Government's flagship Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), support is provided to renewable energy generation projects, including onshore wind and solar, though a fixed feed in premium at a guaranteed price determined through the regular auction process. This support is intended to cover the levelised cost of renewable energy generation including in relation to relevant land agreements.
As a requirement of the RESS, applicants must possess and demonstrate control of the site and the right to access this site through evidence of landowner consent. Any monies paid to landowners by wind farm developers through the RESS or other contractual arrangements are private commercial agreements between the parties concerned.
79. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Section 18 appointments in place of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appointed Mr Barry and Mr Neely on 14 February 2023 and they continue to carry out the core statutory functions of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
On the matter of progression of relevant protected disclosures received by my Department, all protected disclosures received are managed by my Department’s Protected Disclosures Unit in line with our published Protected Disclosure Policy.
In relation to the progression of protected disclosures received by IFI, these are operational matters for IFI in which neither I nor my Department have any function.
80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the review of the ministerial accountability framework for the sectoral emissions ceilings as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45615/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Parliamentary Question refers to Climate Action Plan, action number PD/23/2: 'Undertake a review of the Ministerial accountability framework for the sectoral emission ceilings'.
The process to prepare and adopt the sectoral emissions ceilings, following the approval of the programme of carbon budgets by Government, included the allocation of responsibility to relevant Ministers and their Departments for the performance of their functions in compliance with the ceilings as required by sections 6C and 14A of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
An update on delivery of this action will be published by the Department of the Taoiseach shortly as part of the Q3 2023 Climate Action Plan quarterly progress report.
81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on progress to develop a KPI monitoring and reporting system as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question relates to Climate Action Plan 2023, action number GV/23/1. An update on delivery of this action will be published shortly as part of the Department of the Taoiseach Q3 2023 Climate Action Plan quarterly progress report.
82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the feasibility report of geological resources as part of the transition to a low carbon economy, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45617/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department undertook to carry out a feasibility report of geological resources in the Midlands area, as part of the transition to a low carbon economy, under the Climate Action Plan 2023. This will include an assessment of the potential for groundwater, aggregates, minerals and geothermal energy across the area. This work has commenced and includes collaborative research with third level institutes and state agencies. I anticipate that the report will be completed in 2024.
83. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the roadmaps to implement roadmaps to implement CAP 23 have been updated, as outlined in the climate action plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45618/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question relates to Climate Action Plan 2023, action number PS/23/1/B: “All relevant public sector bodies to update their Roadmap to implement CAP23 Mandate.”
An update on delivery of this action will be published shortly as part of the Department of the Taoiseach Q3 2023 Climate Action Plan quarterly progress report.
84. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Gas Networks Ireland is considered a relevant body under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 following the dissolution of Ervia and its transfer of functions to Gas Networks Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45619/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGNI is a “relevant body” under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021) (the “Act”).
The term “relevant body” includes a “public body”, which is defined by reference to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and includes “a company (within the meaning of the Companies Acts) a majority of the shares in which are held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government”).
As a relevant body, it is required by Section 15 of the Act to, in so far as practicable, perform its functions in a manner consistent with -
• the most recent approved climate action plan,
• the most recent approved national long term climate action strategy,
• the most recent approved national adaptation framework and approved sectoral adaptation plans,
• the furtherance of the national climate objective, and
• the objective of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.
85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on NewERA monitoring of the implementation of commitments in the commercial semi-State framework; what conclusions NewERA drew in their latest report; what is the progress of semi-states to implement commitments in the commercial semi-state framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45620/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2022, the Government approved a Climate Action Framework for commercial semi-state bodies (CSBs), reflecting the exemplar role they are to play in decarbonisation and supporting the objectives of the Climate Action Plan, while also recognising the need for commercial independence in their respective operating environments. The Framework sets out five commitments by CSBs in relation to their climate action objectives:
• Governance of Climate Action Objectives
• Reduction Target and Emissions Measurements
• Measuring and Valuing Emissions in Investment Appraisal
• Circular Economy and Green Procurement
• Climate Related Disclosures in Financial Reporting
The Framework has now been adopted by the boards of all 25 of the CSBs currently within its scope.
NewERA has undertaken an initial review of implementation of the Framework. This review was undertaken on an aggregated, anonymised basis, and indicates significant progress has been made as regards implementation. A summary of this review has been published on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/337b6-public-sector-climate-action-mandate/
Based on information received by NewERA from individual companies, many are well advanced in their implementation of the five commitments in the Framework, while others are at earlier stages of implementation of the commitments.
Commitments 1 (Governance of Climate Action Objectives), 2 (Reduction Target and Emissions Measurement) and 4 (Circular Economy and Green Procurement) have been widely adopted and have been successfully implemented in many of the companies. In relation to Commitment 2, emissions reporting via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Monitoring and Reporting (M&R) system is well established amongst the CSBs.
Adoption of Commitments 3 (Emissions Valuation in Investment Appraisal) and 5 (Climate-related Disclosures in Financial Reporting) has been slower. NewERA is considering additional guidance that could be provided to support companies in relation to the implementation of these commitments.
NewERA intends to provide a further update to my Department on the implementation of the Framework in the first half of 2024.
