Statement from Minister Bruton on 2018 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton TD said:
"The outcome for 2018 as reported by the EPA reinforces the importance of implementing the Climate Action Plan. Ireland has drifted off target and we must implement a decisive policy shift each year, every year. The 2020 Budget has been an important watershed.
Earlier this year, the government published the Climate Action Plan, which sets out the actions we need to take to ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments, putting us on a trajectory to be net zero by 2050. I welcome the EPA's support today for our Plan, which is our roadmap forward, to decarbonise and secure a sustainable, more resilient Ireland for future generations.
While the EPA's statement today shows that emissions have fallen for a second year in a row, the decrease is too small and driven by temporary occurrences – primarily the temporary closure of Moneypoint. We still saw an increase in emissions from households, transport, and agriculture last year.
The figures released today reflect the position prior to the publication of the Climate Action Plan. I note the EPA's comments today calling for the swift implementation of the Plan. This is our pathway forward and today's results underline the urgency of implementing the actions in the Plan across government. We have a brief opportunity to act and we must act now. The government is determined to deliver."
The Climate Action Plan is the government's plan to ensure Ireland reaches our 2030 climate targets, putting us on a trajectory to be net zero emissions by 2050. The far-reaching plan sets out over 180 actions, together with hundreds of sub-actions across every sector of society. Under the plan, we will deliver by 2030:
Key actions in the Climate Action Plan include:
Every public body will be given a climate action mandate by their Minister to prioritise climate action and new letters of expectation will issue to semi-state bodies on Climate Action.