Climate Action Plan

Thursday, 19 February 2026

Questions (198, 199)

Barry Ward

Question:

198. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/26]

View answer

Barry Ward

Question:

199. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the way in which the Climate Action Plan 2026 was completed; if stakeholders were engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.

This Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day. In addition, the rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.

Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years which is notable given concurrent demographic and economic growth including an increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.

We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030 and we are now prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity. This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025 and I have just announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.

The Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy has undertaken detailed scrutiny on the Climate Change Advisory Council’s proposals for the Second Carbon Budget Programme. Due to delays in the formation of new Oireachtas Committees in 2025, the work of the Joint Committee, and the delivery of its report, took place later than expected.

This Report, delivered in October of last year, outlines 38 comprehensive recommendations spanning multiple sectors including electricity, transport, just transition, buildings, and agriculture, extending beyond the proposals themselves. The Committee’s report will need to be carefully considered before any further proposals are brought to Government and this will necessarily delay the next Climate Action Plan, in order to allow this process come to a conclusion.

Work has commenced on the next Climate Action Plan in anticipation of the outcome of this Carbon Budget Programme process and building on the work of the new Climate Action Plan Programme Board, established last year, with a view to bringing a draft to Government later this year.

It is my intention that the next Climate Action Plan will be a more targeted plan, focussing on strategic, realistic, high-impact actions that will be delivered over the course of the budget programme. It is also important that we focus on delivery both of existing and planned actions.

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 198.