Meeting the Kyoto Protocol commitment to limit the growth in greenhouse gas emissions to 13 per cent over 1990 levels by 2010 is a "core challenge" for sustainable development policy here.
Demonstrable progress towards this target must be shown by 2005, but the Government insists that implementation of many of the measures outlined in the Climate Change Strategy, published two years ago, has already begun.
The sustainable development review describes this as a "strong national strategy", backed by a commitment across all Government departments and agencies, to tackle the growth in emissions and secure the reductions needed.
This work would intensify in the sectors concerned (energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and the built environment) "to achieve full implementation and lay the groundwork to meet more stringent commitments" in the post-2010 period. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland's emissions of greenhouse gases in 2000 were already 23.7 per cent above 1990 levels and under a "business-as-usual" scenario they would rise by up to 37 per cent in 2010.
The climate change strategy provides for the introduction on a phased basis of greenhouse gas taxation, with carbon dioxide emissions as a priority, "in a manner that takes account of national economic, social and environmental objectives".
Fiscal measures, both incentives and disincentives, would become "increasingly important tools" in sustainable development policy, given the success of such measures as the differential favouring unleaded petrol and the 15 cent plastic bag tax.
"It has always been recognised that, with no action, Ireland would rapidly and substantially exceed its [Protocol] target", the review says, adding that "significant action" is required over this decade to limit the rise in emissions to 13 per cent.
This would be aided by the adoption of a "working target" of 500 megawatts of electricity generating capacity from renewable sources - such as wind energy - by 2005, increasing their contribution to about 12 per cent of total installed capacity.
However, the review notes that Ireland's increasing consumption of energy, its high dependence on imported fossil fuels, the use of these fuels for electricity generation and the carbon dioxide emissions they generate are "key sustainability issues".
Increased emphasis on energy efficiency in the regulation of industry will be provided for in a forthcoming Environmental Protection Agency (Amendment Bill) to bring its integrated pollution control licensing system fully into line with EU requirements.
A €222 million programme is also envisaged to promote more energy efficiency.