Climate Action: Transport

Transport is a key area of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and actions and targets are set out in the Plan aimed at reducing emissions from this sector by between 42% and 50% by 2030.

These include:

• 500,000 extra walking, cycling and public transport journeys per day by 2030
• Increasing the proportion of kilometres driven by passenger electric cars to between 40 and 45% by 2030, in addition to a reduction of 10% in kilometres driven by the remaining internal combustion engine cars
• All replacements for bus and commuter rail vehicles and carriages to be low or zero carbon by 2030
• Increased rollout of rural public transport through Connecting Ireland.

Actions recently completed under previous Climate Action Plans include:

• Terms of reference agreed to conduct an all-island strategic rail review, and a request for tenders launched.
• Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle Purchase Grant Scheme launched.
• New scheme underway to install 200 on-street electric vehicle charging points every year.
• 8 longer, higher capacity Luas trams have been delivered, and are in service.
• Planning underway to increase public bus networks and capacity, and Phase 1 of the new BusConnects (H-Spine) network launched.
• Completion of low emissions bus trials in Dublin and Cork.
• No diesel-only buses purchased since July 2019.
• €360m per year granted to improve walking and cycling infrastructure.
• Funding announced and recruitment process commenced for up to 248 new jobs in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities.
• Establishment of park and ride (P&R) facilities by many local councils to access main working and education hubs.
• Three-year pilot initiative launched for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged.

For more information on the progress Ireland has made to date, please see the Climate Action Plan Progress Reports.

Emissions from the transport sector accounted for 17.9% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

The transport sector includes emissions from aviation, road, rail, water-borne navigations and other transportation such as pipeline transportation.

Emissions in the sector have risen rapidly in recent decades and remain coupled to economic growth.

Reducing our transport emissions will have a big impact on our climate. Making fewer car journeys and walking, cycling and using public transport more, will really help.

This section provides details of State supports to help you reduce your transport emissions.

Electric Vehicles

Private car use is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector and is responsible for more than half of Ireland's Transport emissions.

One of the most impactful changes car users can make to reduce emissions, is to change from a petrol or diesel vehicle to electric.

There are a number of supports in place to you with your EV purchase including:

• Up to €5,000 relief on qualifying private vehicles (SEAI)
• Up to €3,800 for commercial vehicles (SEAI)
• Up to €10,000 for electric small public service vehicles (taxis)(this scheme will reopen in 2022)(National Transport Authority)
• Up to €600 off the cost of installing an EV charger at home (SEAI)
• Discounted rates on motor tax and tolls (D/Transport)

Public Transport

Incentives are available to support the use of public transport instead of private cars:

• Travel Pass Scheme : Employers can provide monthly or annual taxsaver travel passes for public transport services.
• Park & Ride: Many local councils have already established park and ride facilities allowing you to take some of the driving out of your commute.

Cycling

Incentives are also available to encourage the use of lower emission transport modes, such as cycling.

• Cycle to Work Scheme: A tax incentive for bike and related equipment purchase, to encourage cycling to and from work.
• Dublin City Bikes Scheme: A sustainable and efficient public transport choice with networks continually being expanded.
• Regional Bikes Scheme: A public bike system in Cork, Limerick and Galway provided by the National Transport Authority.

For more information please see the What Can I do? page.

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