Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
257. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when he expects to publish Climate Action Plan 2026; and if it takes into account the findings of the Land Use Report Phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4255/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe adoption of the Carbon Budget Programme is delayed with significant work ongoing. The delay in the carbon budgets also means that the next annual update to the Climate Action Plan is also delayed. The Climate Action Plan 2025, which builds on the series of preceding annual plans, remains in place and provides a strong framework for delivery of climate action to 2030.
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.
The carbon budgets have very significant implications for our economy and society and, therefore, require careful consideration. They need to be considered in the context of ensuring that affordability, competitiveness and energy security are paramount, particularly given the fast-paced evolving international geo-political landscape.
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 it will also be a more focussed plan, focussing on strategic, realistic, high-impact actions that will be delivered over the course of the budget programme. I have also emphasised the importance of focusing on delivery both of existing and planned actions.
The Final Report for Phase 2 of the national land use review, entitled A Living Land, was received by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon; the Minister of State at Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O'Sullivan; and myself for our consideration in May 2025. Following this, I was also briefed on Phase 2 of the Review by Geraldine Tallon, the independent Chair of the Oversight Group.
Following our consideration, and further discussion at broader Government level, it was agreed that wider consideration of the final Report across Government is necessary, and this consideration is currently underway.
