Irish Climate Policy

Hugh Bartling

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!

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)

turlough-hill-40-1.jpg

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

Post-Kyoto

  • The EU committment for the Paris talks is for 40% reduction by 2030
  • 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 leels by 2020.
  • It is likely they will exceed these emissions requirements
  • According to the World Bank, per capita CO2 emissions are 8.8 (metric tons). US=17.6

Carbon Tax Impacts

Emissions1.PNG

From publicpolicy.ie

Sectoral Breakdown of GHG Emissions

GHGSector.bmp

Sectoral Growth of GHG Emissions

plot of chunk unnamed-chunk-1

Data: epa.ie

Sectoral GHG (cont.)

plot of chunk unnamed-chunk-2

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 [important export industry]

Climate Policy in Dublin

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