The government has finally published an EU-mandated long-term climate strategy, laying out sector-by-sector plans for how to drive down greenhouse gas emissions over the next several decades
THE GOVERNMENT HAS finally published an EU-mandated long-term climate strategy, laying out sector-by-sector plans for how to drive down greenhouse gas emissions.
Ireland’s overarching climate targets are to reduce emissions by 51% compared to 2018 by 2030 and to reach net-zero by 2050. “Energy demand, including data centres, will be expected to operate within sectoral emissions ceilings and further signals will be required to locate demand where existing or future electricity grid is available and close to renewable energy generation. Research and development in energy storage and flexibility will be required to put Ireland on a pathway to net-zero-carbon data centres,” the strategy outlines.
Core measures for industry will include substituting certain fuels with alternatives, electrifying low-temperature industrial processes, and increasing the use of solid biomass. Additional, less-researched measures may involve the use of bio-gas, carbon capture and storage, or the injection of carbon dioxide into concrete in a process that reduces its climate impact.
The transport sector will need to undergo an “unprecedented transition” focused on demand reduction, switching from cars to sustainable modes of transport, and electric vehicles. “Effective regulation will be needed to ensure that technological developments maximise decarbonisation within the sector, by facilitating smart traffic management, shared mobility options, modal shift and demand management, which in turn will reduce congestion and increase occupancy rates in transport fleets, both public and private.”
“In addition, we will continue work to enhance sink potential of various land uses in Ireland, including meeting our objective to achieve 18% forest cover in Ireland by 2050, while minimising emissions from other land under agricultural production and from non-agricultural wetlands.” The strategy details that it is “not possible to predict exactly how the next decade will unfold” because the pace of changes “will not be precisely in line with our assumptions today”, and as such, the estimate of the amount of investment needed will be updated over time.
Ireland could “reap economic benefits” from developing and exporting offshore wind and from being a leader in innovative business models in areas like retrofitting. Meanwhile, spending on importing fossil fuels will be reduced. Late submission In 2018, a European Union Regulation set out that member states should develop 30-year strategies laying down how they plan to tackle the climate crisis to help fulfil EU requirements under the crucial Paris Agreement.
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