Greenhouse gas emission limits fixed

The Government has fixed greenhouse gas emission limits and released a consultant's report on how emissions could be reduced.

The study, published yesterday, details the options available to achieve the State's commitment to a ceiling on greenhouse gas emissions. These were agreed last week at the Council of Environment Ministers and are based on percentage reductions below emissions recorded in 1990.

The collective EU target is to reduce output by 8 per cent below the 1990 baseline, to be achieved in 2008-2012. During this period, Ireland's emissions will continue to rise, however, with an allowable limit of 13 per cent above the 1990 baseline.

The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, said the 13 per cent ceiling was agreed following consultations with the EU and within Government. "This is now a firm objective for Ireland," he said, and reflected "our continuing need for sustainable economic growth", but also the necessity to make some contribution to controlling greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the EU target.

The release of the study represents the beginning of a public consultative process leading to the adoption of a greenhouse gas abatement strategy. The report is available from the Government Publications Office for £10 and the Minister has asked for written comments on it. These should reach his Department by the end of July, and will be followed by public discussion and workshops.

Full details of the report were published in The Irish Times on May 29th. It discusses options such as a carbon tax to curb energy use and foster efficiency.

The study was prepared by a group of consultants led by Environmental Resource Management (UK), including the ESRI and Byrne O Cleirigh.