‘We need to move faster' on emissions targets
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O'Brien has said that the latest projections from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published today (Wednesday, May 28) are a clear signal that, while there has been progress, we need to move faster to meet 2030 climate targets.
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a 1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030', according to the EPA.
Minister O'Brien commented: 'The government is fully aware of the scale of the climate challenge and the importance for Ireland to be a leader in accelerating climate action.
'… We are undergoing a renewables-led energy transformation. Coal is on the way out, and renewables are now the backbone of our power mix; electricity generation from renewables has increased fivefold since 2005.
'It is estimated that renewables provided 40% of our electricity demand in 2024.
'We are continuing to support the delivery of renewable energy in Ireland through the transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive II and III, providing important permitting and legal reforms, and further RESS and ORESS auctions to support additional onshore and offshore renewable energy,' the minister added.
He explained that Ireland is also delivering new interconnectors; the Greenlink interconnector to the UK is now operational, doubling Ireland's interconnector capacity.
Construction of the Celtic interconnector to France is on track to be completed by 2026/2027 and the North-South project is advancing.
Minister O'Brien said that these projects boost energy security and allow greater import/export of clean power.
'This is backed by concrete action; emissions fell by 6.8% in 2023. GDP has seen a six-fold increase and the population has increased by nearly 50% since 1990,' he added.
'Yet, emissions are lower today than they were then. That's real decoupling of emissions from economic activity – and few countries in Europe have achieved it under similar pressure.
'We're also seeing progress in other areas. Electric vehicle sales are up – by 23% in April alone – and not just in cities.
'Rural counties like Carlow are showing real momentum with a 42% increase in EV sales for the first four months of the year compared to last year,' he added.
The minister also referenced the uptake of solar, the Renewable Heat Obligation and schools education and awareness as other drivers of the positive climate trend in Ireland.
He continued: 'We know that the EPA projections are not absolute forecasts; they reflect delivery to date.
'The first Climate Action Plan of this government was delivered last month. Cross-departmental taskforces are in place.
'Governance arrangements have been strengthened, with the first meeting of the new Climate Action Programme Board held last week, involving senior officials from all the main sectors – including energy, transport and agriculture.
'Its remit is clear: to focus on accelerated delivery of the actions needed to close the emissions gap,' Minister O'Brien concluded.
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