Carbon budgets and climate targets
Deputy Shanahan asked what guarantees existed that promised sectoral emissions reforms would accompany the carbon reduction legislation. The Taoiseach said the later targets were still being developed under the 2021 climate Act and that the legal framework was already in place.
I pay tribute to my Regional Group colleague, Deputy Berry, who was the first to propose that President Zelenskyy would address this Parliament and allow us to express our solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, report yet again shows the need for all of us to expedite climate action. As the Taoiseach will be aware, we will vote on a proposal relating to the carbon reduction Act tonight without any sight of the sectoral emissions reforms or targets the Government promised when the legislation was first tabled. What guarantees will the Taoiseach give to the private business sector and the indigenous agricultural sector in respect of future sectoral targets such that they will not be penalised for the failure of public bodies and the public sector to achieve their targets, or for our inability to honour our renewable energy commitments?
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I also commend Deputy Berry on his initiative, which acted as a catalyst for the Ceann Comhairle's invitation to President Zelenskyy to address the Dáil and Seanad.
In respect of carbon budgets, the sectoral reform targets will come later. Extensive work is ongoing with all sectors in that regard. This all arises from the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which was enacted in July of last year. It created the legal framework and the timelines in respect of all the actions that have to follow. The Act provides that the first two carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council should equate to a total reduction of 51% over the period to 2030, relative to a baseline of 2018. That will present significant challenges for all sectors.