Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 September 2023, the status of the development of the updated long-term strategy on greenhouse gas emissions reductions; the timeline for the publication of the updated strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3320/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions was approved by Government in April 2023 and subsequently published on gov.ie.
In my response to your Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 28 September 2023 I indicated that my Department was undertaking work to prepare an updated strategy, following an extensive public consultation and concurrent consultation with Government Ministers and the Climate Change Advisory Council. In addition, my Department enlisted analytical support to evaluate and identify the optimal emissions reduction pathways for Ireland to 2050. While my officials were working towards the end of 2023 for completion, it is important to ensure that the Strategy aligns with the latest climate data and projections and with the detailed pathways to 2030 set out in Climate Action Plan 2024, published 20 December 2023. As such, the Strategy will now be finalised in Q1 2024.
The updated Strategy will be the first national long-term climate strategy to be prepared in line with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts 2015 to 2021. As the updated Strategy will conform to both EU and national requirements, the updated Strategy will also be submitted to the EU Commission and UNFCCC to update Ireland's current Strategy.
