Press release
77% of Climate Action Plan measures delivered to date, against backdrop of severe climate breakdown
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Government departments and agencies have implemented 77% of all measures in the 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP) to date, according to the latest progress report published today.
The Q3 Report details progress on the implementation of measures under the CAP 2021, including key emissions trends in each sector and high impact measures completed and delayed this quarter.
A delivery rate of 60% is reported for Q3 2022, with 74 of 124 measures due in this period completed on time. The overall implementation rate of the CAP 2021 to date (combining delivery from Q4 2021 to Q3 2022) stands at 77%, with 542 of 708 measures completed.
The need to overcome delays in climate action implementation is clear, not least against the backdrop of severe climate change impacts witnessed in Q3 2022. The Summer of 2022 witnessed a number of extreme weather events including record-breaking heatwaves and droughts, devastating flooding, dangerous storms, and damaging wildfires. These disruptive climate events have wreaked havoc on communities locally and internationally, killing and displacing people globally, and taking their toll on broad sectors of the economy.
In his national statement at COP27 in Egypt, Taoiseach Micheál Martin highlighted the urgent need for timely implementation on climate measures. Commenting on the latest Climate Action Plan Progress Report, the Taoiseach said:
"In delivering our national statement at COP27 in Egypt, I highlighted the need for urgency. Every delay makes our task that bit bigger, and we need to translate our ambition into rapid action. We can already see and feel the world around us changing. Let us not waste a second more.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar welcomed publication of the Q3 Progress Report, saying:
“It’s clear that climate change is having a devastating social, environmental and economic impact. It is the most pressing long-term global challenge of our time. We need to take better care of our planet. All sectors have a part to play in ensuring we leave it in better condition for future generations. We have made some significant progress in this quarter, but it’s clear we need to accelerate action in order to achieve our ambitious climate goals. We have moved from laggard to mid-table. We should now aim to be a leader.”
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan said:
“Ireland played a huge role in addressing climate justice at the recent COP27 conference. Here at home we need to focus on high impact climate solutions that urgently address mitigation. This Progress Reports demonstrates clearly that we still have a lot of work to do. The recently approved carbon budget programme and sectoral emission ceilings provide a strong framework and pathway to guide and inform our policies and measures towards our 2030 and 2050 goals.”
Preparation of an updated Climate Action Plan is currently underway and it is expected to be published before the end of the year following approval by Government.