The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD published the Irish Government’s first National Mitigation Plan on Climate Change on 19^th July.

The plan covers greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity generation, built environment, transport, agriculture, forest and land use sectors. The plan sets out a range of mitigation measures designed to address the State’s stringent obligations under the EU’s 2020 and 2030 climate change frameworks and the achievement of Ireland’s national policy position on climate change.

The Government in 2014 adopted a national policy position on climate change targeting a reduction in emissions of 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 from electricity generation, the built environment and transport sectors. Additionally, the policy position sets out an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.

The latest EPA projections indicate that, by 2020, Ireland’s emissions are likely to be in the range of 4% to 6% below 2005 levels. This is well short of the 20% reduction target assigned to Ireland, which incorporates the non-ETS sectors such as agriculture and transport.

A copy of the National Mitigation Plan can be viewed here: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/National%20Mitigation%20Plan%202017.pdf

Also, a copy of the ICOS submission to the draft National Mitigation Plan is available: https://icos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2017-April-ICOS-Submission-on-the-Consultation-on-Irelands-Draft-National-Climate-Change-Mitigation-Plan.pdf

By Eamonn Farrell

Agri Food Policy Executive