Environment, Climate and Communications | To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which focus is being made to meet climate action requirements with particular reference to meeting carbon emission targets

*  To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which focus is being made to meet climate action requirements with particular reference to meeting carbon emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Bernard J. Durkan.


*    For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 2nd June, 2022.

(728  Received on 10th May, 2022.)

REPLY

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

The climate ambition in the Programme for Government has been placed on a statutory footing through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act commits Ireland to achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels.

The significantly strengthened legally binding framework under the Act, with clear targets and commitments set in law, will help ensure that Ireland achieves its climate goals and obligations.

As part of this strengthened framework, the Government published the Climate Action Plan 2021 last November. Climate Action Plan 2021 identifies the measures, actions and policies required to to achieve our emissions reductions targets, while also setting out indicative ranges of emissions reductions across each sector of the economy.

The Government also published an accompanying Annex of Actions to support the delivery of Climate Action Plan 2021. The Annex sets out the detailed actions and measures, with timelines included, that are required to drive delivery and ensure our emissions reduce. Furthermore, the Annex identifies the key Departments, state bodies and other key stakeholders that will oversee and implement these actions.

The Climate Action Plan will be updated annually with the measures and actions refined and amended to account for progress made in the area of climate action. Future iterations of the Climate Action Plans will also reflect the recently approved carbon budgets, which provide a framework to ensure progress is made in reaching our 2030 and 2050 targets.