Climate response and COP28
Deputy Bacik raised concern about rising global emissions, the climate crisis, and disappointing coverage from COP28. The Minister of State said work was under way on climate savings in building and modern methods of construction, and he would follow up on the issue she mentioned.
I am not sure of which Minister I am asking this question now that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has left. Instead of the sharp drop that is needed, current global commitments will see greenhouse gas emissions rise by 2030. Even if countries implement their current commitments, the world is on track to heat by between 2.5°C and 2.9°C. The UN state of the cryosphere report tells us we cannot negotiate with the melting point of ice. In this awful context, many of us have been disheartened by the coverage of what has been emerging from COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, and the presence of so many oil lobbyists, a great deal of spin and, indeed, fake news about the impact of fossil fuels. I wanted to ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, how the Government proposes to reduce emissions in the construction sector, in particular, in this context, while also ramping up the necessary building of homes and infrastructure. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, may respond to the point.
I recently met representatives of the Irish branch of Architects Declare, a group of architects who are part of a global movement to ensure more sustainable building methods. Has the Minister engaged with that group? How does the Government intend to implement more environmental concerns in planning law?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. A body of work on the issue of environmental and climate savings within building, and the employment of modern methods of construction, is under way in the Department. I cannot give the Deputy a formal response as to whether we have engaged with the particular group she mentioned. I will follow up on the issue and revert to the Deputy.