6. ENERGY AND CLIMATE
Recommendations
The government of Ireland should:
Plot a clear trajectory, with interim points based on carbon budgets, between its current situation and the 2050 GHG targets to clearly identify and quantify the efforts needed in each sector, to ensure political ownership and accountability, and to guide full and efficient implementation of the NPF and NDP.
Urgently implement measures turning plans and pilot programmes into actions designed to result in rapid and meaningful GHG emissions reductions in all sectors. This is necessary to bridge the gap to the emissions trajectory and to give a clear political signal to citizens, stakeholders and investors. Focus should be on actions that enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy actions, as these offer the main opportunity to reduce energy-related emissions.
Raise the rate of the carbon tax and put in place a mechanism that allows for upward adjustments when preset sectoral GHG targets are not met.
Strengthen funding for clean energy mobility, in particular for public transport, installation and maintenance of the EV charging system, and cycling and walking infrastructure.
References
Climate Change Advisory Council (2018), Annual Review 2018, CCAC, Dublin, www.climatecouncil.ie/media/CCAC_AnnualReview2018.pdf.
CSO (Central Statistics Office) (2018), Transport Omnibus 2017, CSO, Dublin, www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p- tranom/transportomnibus2017/vehiclelicensingandregistrations/ (accessed 13 November 2018).
DCCAE (Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment) (2017a), National Mitigation Plan, DCCAE, Dublin, www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/climate- action/publications/Documents/7/National%20Mitigation%20Plan%202017.pdf.
DCCAE (2017b), National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Ireland #4 2017-2020, DCCAE, Dublin, www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/NEEAP%204.pdf.
DCENR (Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) (2015),
Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030, DCENR, Dublin, www.dccae.gov.ie/enie/energy/publications/Documents/2/Energy%20White%20Paper%20- %20Dec%202015.pdf.
EC (European Commission) (2018a), Agriculture, EC, Brussels, https://ec.europa.eu/ireland/news/key-eu-policy-areas/agriculture_en.
EC (2018b), EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), EC, Brussels, https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets_en.
EC (2018c), Effort Sharing 2021-2030: Targets and Flexibilities, EC, Brussels, https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/effort/proposal_en.
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6. ENERGY AND CLIMATE
EEA (European Environment Agency) (2017), Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Effort Sharing Decision (ESD), EEA, Copenhagen, www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/esd-1.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) (2018a), Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2017-2035, EPA, Wexford, www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/airemissions/ghgprojections20172035/EPA_2018_GHG_Emissions_Projections_Summary_Report.pdf.
EPA (2018b), Ireland’s National Inventory Report 2018, EPA, Wexford, https://unfccc.int/documents/65675.
EPA (2018c), National Emissions Inventories, EPA, Wexford, www.epa.ie/climate/emissionsinventoriesandprojections/nationalemissionsinventories/, (accessed 11 June 2018).
Government of Ireland (2018), Biofuels Obligation Scheme – Policy Statement April 2018, Government of Ireland, Dublin, www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Biofuels%20Obligation%20Scheme%20Policy%20Statement
.pdf.
IEA (International Energy Agency) (2018a), CO Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2018, OECD/IEA, Paris, www.iea.org/statistics/.
IEA (2018b), World Energy Balances 2018, OECD/IEA, Paris, www.iea.org/statistics/.
NTA (National Transport Authority) (2018), Canal Cordon Report 2017, NTA, Dublin, www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Canal_Cordon_Report_2017.pdf.
SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland), Energy in Ireland, 2018 Report, https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2018.pdf.
SEAI (2018b), Energy-related CO2 Emissions in Ireland 2005-2016 2018 Report, SEAI, Dublin www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy-Emissions-2017-Final.pdf.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (2018), The Electric Vehicles Toll Incentive, www.etoll.ie/electric-vehicle-toll-inc/ (accessed 22 October 2018).
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