Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which Ireland’s emissions have been reduced in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41655/24]
View answerThe EPA is the competent authority for publishing data on Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2023, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be 55 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2eq.), which is 6.8% lower (or 4 MtCO2eq.) than emissions in 2022 (59 MtCO2eq.). This follows a 2% reduction in annual emissions in 2022. Emissions are 1.2% below the historical 1990 baseline for the first time in 33 years.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050, and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Our recent emissions reductions demonstrate our ability to reverse our emissions trends and start to build momentum towards meeting our ambitious abatement objectives, though the latest projections of Ireland's future emissions from the EPA highlight the significant challenge we will face in meeting these targets. Successive annual Climate Action Plans seek to bring forward the necessary policies, measures and actions to address this challenge.
