Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
89. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the commitment to reaching 51% reduction in emission on 2018 levels is contingent on achieving a reclassification of biogenic methane at EU and international level; can he confirm the commitment to climate targets irrespective of any potential reclassification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3066/25]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, 2022 the Government approved sectoral emissions ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030). For the Agriculture sector, under this process a 10% emissions reduction target was set for 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target for 2030.
The current pathways, including carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, that have been identified to deliver Ireland’s obligations under the Climate Act, as well as relevant EU Regulations including the Effort Sharing Regulation and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation, are premised on Ireland’s national emissions inventories (both past and projected) as calculated by the Environmental Protection Agency. These pathways are set out in the Climate Action Plan. Ireland’s national emissions inventories use the global warming potential values agreed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, based on the effects of greenhouse gases over a 100-year period.
Building on the nearly 7% reduction in emissions achieved in 2023, the 2025 Programme for Government commits to delivering actions to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions from 2018 to 2030 and net-zero emissions no later than 2050. The Government is committed to delivering it's climate objectives through active delivery of annual Climate Action Plans, and an enhanced delivery framework.
Separately, the Programme for Government also includes a commitment to recognise the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane and advocate for the accounting of this greenhouse gas to be re-classified at EU and international level.
As Minister, I will be prioritising delivery of climate action and reform.
