EU is ‘closing in' on a 55% reduction in GHG emissions
The positive update from the EU comes as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has starkly warned today that Ireland is 'not on track' to meet key emissions targets.
The European Commission's assessment of various member states' National Energy and Climate Plans suggests that EU countries have 'substantially improved their plans ' following the commission's recommendations.
According to the commission, if member states implement fully existing and planned national measures and EU policies the EU is 'currently on course' to reduce net GHG emissions by around 54% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
It has said that the next phase for member states is to 'focus on turning plans into action to ensure stability and predictability'.
'This involves directing public funds to effectively support transformative investments, encouraging private investment, and coordinating efforts at both regional and European levels.
'The commission will therefore continue to support member states' efforts in implementation and in addressing the remaining gaps,' it added.
GHG
The European Commission's assessment of various member states' National Energy and Climate Plans reiterates the EU's objection to be 'climate neutral by 2050'.
It also outlines that the EU 'must become a hub of innovation, where tomorrow's technologies, services and clean products are developed, manufactured, and marketed' to achieve this.
One key area highlighted in the assessment is in relation to GHG emissions and member states' approach to the land sector.
'There is still a gap of about 45-60 MtCO2eq – equivalent to about 100% to 140% of the target of additional removals – compared to the 2030 target under the Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation,' it states.
The latest EPA GHG projections for the period 2024-2055 has detailed that emissions from LULUCF in Ireland are projected to increase between 39% to 95% over the period of 2018 to 2030.
This is, according to the EPA, because Ireland's forestry is reaching harvesting age and changing 'from a carbon sink to a carbon source'.
Land
The EU also published an individual assessment of the 23 National Energy and Climate Plans that it has received to date and urged Belgium, Estonia, and Poland to submit their plans 'without delay'.
In relation to Ireland, it highlights that the country has set out 'a large array of additional measures in the agricultural sector' in its plan.
'Key to delivering is the provision of low emission animal feeds and low emission fertilisers, many of which are still in early development.
'Moreover, incentives are needed for their uptake. The plan acknowledges the absence of more wide-ranging measures that could deliver substantial emission reductions, such as diversification into less carbon intensive agriculture and a reduction of the large number of (dairy) herds,' the commission stated.
However, it also warned that there is 'a significant overlap between agriculture and the LULUCF sector as the vast majority of land is agricultural land'.
'The plan clearly acknowledges the need for both public (Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) , state aid) and private finance to achieve Ireland's LULUCF targets and details the financial commitment for individual measures,' the commission added.
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