Irish Climate & Environmental Policy

Hugh Bartling

Basics

  • Member of the EU (28 member states)
  • Regulations made in Brussels (ex. chemicals)
  • Directives (member states have latitude for compliance)
  • Special Areas of Conservation

Special Areas of Conservation

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Basics

Kyoto Protocol

  • Limit GHG emissions to 13% growth from 1990 levels by 2012
  • Can trade emissions through the EU ETS
  • Met targets
  • Thanks to the global recession!

GHG Trends

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GHG Trends - Per capita CO2

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GHG Projections

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GHG Projections

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Energy Sources

energy.PNG

Indigenous Energy Sources

IndigenousSource.PNG

Sources of Imports - Crude Oil

crudeimports.PNG

Most oil impported into the country (69%) is actually in the form of refined products. The UK is the source of 89% oil product imports.

Turlough Hill - Pumped Hydro Scheme (Wicklow)

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During low demand, water is pumped up this hill. During peak demand it is released to flow through four turbines.

Paris Agreement

  • The EU committment for the Paris talks is for 40% reduction by 2030 from 1990 levels
  • Carbon tax of €15 tonne introduced in 2010 with an increase to €20 in 2013. The figure was lowered in 2013 to €10, but is now back to €20.
  • Under the current EU obligations, Ireland needs to reduce its emissions to 20% below 2005 levels by 2020 in non-ETS sectors (agriculture, transport, residential).
  • By 2030, these emissions need to be 30% below 2005 levels
  • It is not likely they will meet these emissions requirements by 2020
  • According to the World Bank, per capita CO2 emissions are 8.8 (metric tons). US=17.6

Carbon Tax Impacts

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From publicpolicy.ie

Transport Emissions and Economic Growth

transportGDP.PNG

From SEAI, Energy in Transport, 2014

Sectoral Breakdown of GHG Emissions

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Sectoral Growth of GHG Emissions

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Data: epa.ie

Sectoral GHG (cont.)

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Climate Policy Issues

  • The EU ETS which is the main mechanism for emissions reductions covers 40% of GHG emissions in the EU, but only 33% in Ireland
  • Ireland can count on a higher proportion of reductions when compared to other EU countries through carbon sinks. Not clear how these sinks will be accounted for in impending international agreements
  • High emissions from agricultural sector. Enteric fermentation! [important export industry]

Emissions in Dublin

  • 32% residential
  • 23% service
  • 20% manufacturing
  • 25% transport

Climate Policy in Dublin

DublinAbatement.PNG From: Dublin City Sustainable Energy Action Plan 2101-2020

Transport Trends in Dublin

transportDub.PNG From:Dublin Centre Transport Study, 2015