Government Delivers on Climate Action

Issued by the Government Press Office

First Progress Report on Climate Action Plan published
All new buildings will be net zero emissions, electric vehicle charging network rolled out
New rules for public procurement, commitment to just transition
Adaptation Plans for key sectors published

The Government will today (Thursday, 31 October 2019) publish the first progress report on the Climate Action Plan, the government’s plan to secure a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier Ireland for future generations. The government will today also publish adaptation plans for 12 key sectors, to ensure that we are prepared for the impact climate disruption is already having in a number of areas and deliver on Ireland’s commitments to help protect the planet.

An Taoiseach said

“Everyone has their part to play in solving the climate crisis. No sector, business or home will be untouched. We must work together to achieve a greener, more prosperous, more sustainable, and safer future. We will have warmer homes, cleaner air, more secure energy sources, green jobs, green business and wealth, better transport, resilient communities, new recreational spaces and healthier lifestyles. We know what needs to be done. With this Progress Report we are making ourselves accountable to ensure it is done.”

The Climate Action Plan, published earlier this year and led by Minister Bruton, sets out actions across every sector of society which will ensure we meet our 2030 climate commitments, putting us on a trajectory to be net zero emissions by 2050.

The Report today shows that 85%, or 149 of the actions due for delivery in Quarter 2 and 3 of this year have been delivered, with the remaining in progress and due for delivery by the end of the year.

Key Milestones reached since the Plan has been published:

New Scheme for 1,200 on-street public charge points for electric vehicles, led by local authorities
First Luas tram extension delivered
New requirements to ensure all new homes are Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) standard. New energy efficiency regulations for home renovations over a certain size
Commitment to support net zero emissions at European level
Local Authority Climate Action Charter signed with all 31 local authorities, driving forward meaningful change in their local areas
Commitment for Just Transition Plan, with €31m secured in Budget 2020 for new measures
New rules for public procurement, meaning €12bn of state investment each year will be invested sustainably
A Climate action focussed budget, with a commitment to increase the price of carbon to €80/t in 2030, and ring-fence all the proceeds for climate action, tackling energy poverty and delivering a just transition
Climate Action Plan Delivery Board established, led by the Department of an Taoiseach
Retrofitting model taskforce established to deliver our new national retrofitting plan which will group homes in the same area together to lower cost, easy pay back models (e.g. through your utility bill), and smart financing
Secured €530m from the EU to deliver the Ireland – France Celtic Interconnector, which will link the Irish and French electricity grids and is vital to increasing renewable electricity from 30% to 70%
Climate Advisory Council advice accepted to ban all new oil exploration off Irish coastal waters
8 Town Hall meetings across the country to engage with local communities about climate action

The Climate Action Delivery Board will continue to monitor progress and identify challenges to delivering the remaining actions not achieved.

Minister Bruton said

“It is only by sustained, consistent effort across every sector that we will deliver on the step change that is needed. The Climate Action Plan is our roadmap forward, it includes the actions that will ensure we reach our future climate commitments and do so in a way that imposes the least burden on society. This marks good progress but we must consider what barriers exist to achieving 100% delivery and make sure we keep pushing across the board.”

The government will today also publish adaptation plans for 12 key sectors. The 12 key sectors are: Seafood, Agriculture, Forestry, Biodiversity, Built and Archaeological Heritage, Transport Infrastructure, Electricity and Gas Networks, Communications Networks, Flood Risk Management, Water Quality, Water Services Infrastructure and Health.

Each Plan identifies the key risks faced across the sector and the approach being taken to address these risks and build climate resilience for the future.

Minister Bruton said

“We must focus our efforts on implementing the Climate Action Plan. These are the actions with the least burden today which will secure a sustainable future for the generation which comes after us. As set out in the Plan, we must also ensure that the State is ready to protect people from the negative effects of climate change in Ireland and that we take appropriate actions to limit any damage caused. These Sectoral Adaptation Plans represent an important step in making sure the State is prepared.”

Notes to Editor

List of Actions Delivered

The 12 Sectoral Adaptation Plans being published today

Sectoral Adaptation Plan	Lead Department/ Agency	Theme
Seafood	Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine	Natural and Cultural Capital
Agriculture
Forestry
Biodiversity	Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Built and Archaeological Heritage
Transport Infrastructure	Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport	Critical Infrastructure
Electricity and Gas Networks	Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Communications Networks
Flood Risk Management	Office of Public Works	Water Resource and Flood Risk Management
Water Quality	Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Water Services Infrastructure
Health	Department of Health	Public Health