National Strategies & Initiatives

The National Climate Change Strategy

National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012

The purpose of the National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012 was to demonstrate clearly how Ireland would meet its 2008 – 2012 Kyoto Protocol commitment (i.e. GHG emissions to be limited to 13% above 1990 levels per annum from 2008 – 2012) and to show how the measures taken would lower Ireland’s   greenhouse gas emissions further   in the   post-2012 period.  

The EU has independently committed itself to reducing its GHG emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.   Additionally, it has committed to a reduction of 30% of its GHG emissions by 2020, on the condition that other developed nations commit themselves to similar targets and that more advanced developing nations also make a firm commit to cutting emissions according to their capabilities.

The principal measures adopted in the National Climate Change Strategy 2007 – 2012 are:

Energy Supply

·          15% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010 and 33% by 2020

·          Biomass to contribute up to 30% of energy input at peat stations by 2015

·          Support for Combined Heat and Power projects

·          National Ocean Energy Strategy

Transport

·          Modal shift to public transport as a result of Transport 21 investment

·          Rebalancing of VRT and motor tax, supported by improved mandatory labelling

·          Introduction of biofuels obligation scheme in 2009

·          CIE to be required to move to biodiesel blend

·          National efficient driving awareness campaign

·          Sustainable Transport Action Plan to be published in   late 2007

·          Support for inclusion of aviation in EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Residential

·          Revised Building Regulations in 2008 to aim for 40% improvement on current thermal performance standards

·          Building Energy Rating certification introduced from 2007

·          Grants for renewable energy heating under Greener Homes Scheme

·          Levy on incandescent bulbs to encourage shift to low-energy bulbs

·          Smart meters to be supplied to all electricity customers

·          Energy efficiency measures to be funded in social housing programmes

Industry, Commercial and Services

·          Building Regulations and Building Energy Rating

·          Energy Agreements Programme

·          Bioheat and CHP programmes

·          Support for eco-efficient technology and practices

Agriculture, Land-use and Forestry

·          REPS 4 scheme will support carbon sequestration and reduction of emissions from fertilisers

·          Support for improved manure management

·          Feasibility of anaerobic digestion to be explored

·          Top-up to EU premium for energy crops

·          New supports for afforestation

·          Biomass Harvesting Scheme

Waste

·          Use of waste biomass in energy production

·          Support for waste-to-energy projects under REFIT scheme

Public Sector

·          Energy Efficiency Programme with target of 33% energy savings across public sector by 2020

·          Biomass heating in schools

·          All street lighting and traffic lights required to be energy efficient

·          All public sector fleets to be required to move to biofuel blend

·          Carbon offsetting of all official air travel

Cross-sectoral

·          € 15m multi-annual Climate Change Awareness campaign

·          Examination of incentives and disincentives

·          Assessment of potential for domestic offset schemes

·          Major funding for research programmes

Adaptation

·          Flood risk strategy being developed

·          Overall national adaptation strategy to be developed by 2009

Implementation, Reporting and Review

·          Commission on Climate Change to provide high-level advice to Government on progress and to increase awareness in all sectors

·          High Level Group on Climate Change to coordinate implementation

·          Guidance on cost-benefit appraisal of emission reductions

·          Implementation Status Report, including further measures, to be published each year and presented

·          to Joint Oireachtas Committee

·          Periodic review by Cabinet Committee

·          Third National Climate Change Strategy to focus on post-Kyoto commitments

Click here to view the full report

National Adaptation Strategy

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s climate change strategy includes a commitment to publish a National Adaptation strategy.  The intention is that the adaptation strategy will provide a framework for the integration of adaptation issues into decision-making at national and local level.  It will outline how Ireland should adapt to the impacts of climate change across the various sectors of the economy.  The strategy is being prepared in consultation with other Government Departments and key stakeholders.

Carbon Budget

The introduction of the State’s first carbon budget occurred in December 2007. In October 2008, Minister Gormley presented his second Carbon Budget which drew together the key national responses to greenhouse gas emission reductions for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol and beyond. It was acknowledged that Ireland would meet its EU commitment for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol, but the challenges were considered to be greater than previously projected and the gap would be bridged by a combination of further measures and the purchase of carbon credits under the flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. To this end and in its role as purchasing agent on behalf of the State under the Carbon Fund Act 2007, the National Treasury Management Agency purchased some 3.5 million carbon credits in 2008, in accordance with the policy framework set out in Annex 3 of the National Climate Change Strategy. In addition, the Government committed itself to developing further measures to get to grips with the climate challenge, reduce purchases of carbon credits and bring Ireland on track for the annual average 3% reduction in emissions to which such a commitment was given in the Programme for Government. The NTMA purchased an additional 0.9 million carbon credits in early 2009. However, in light of the economic slowdown and the related reduction in GHG emissions the NTMA decided to cease purchasing any further carbon credits. In 2010, the EPA projections suggested that sufficient carbon credits had already been purchased to meet Ireland ’s Kyoto commitments.   The then Minister for the Environment John Gormley asked the NTMA to cease the purchase of carbon credits for the foreseeable future. To read the latest Carbon Fund Report go to this link.

Carbon Budget Statement

The Cabinet Sub-Committee

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security was established in June 2007.   It is responsible for the co-ordination of work across Government with respect to the climate change agenda.

Power of One

The national energy efficiency awareness campaign, The Power of One Programme, will continue to work closely with the Change Campaign to raise awareness of the energy cost and CO₂ saving potential of energy efficiency and encourage long term behavioural change.

Environmental Protection Agency Seminars

The EPA   continued to run occasional lectures in the Climate Change Lecture series in 2009 and 2010, when former Irish President Mary Robinson gave a lecture on climate justice. The lecture series has explored key aspects of climate change ranging from predictions and impacts, to its economic and political consequences.  An impressive group of international speakers has presented a comprehensive assessment of the facts, challenges and opportunities arising from a changing global climate.  These lectures have generated an unprecedented response from the public with over 450 attendees at each lecture.  They are available as video broadcasts on the  EPA website