Public Consultation on Carbon Budgets

Carbon budgets are part of a roadmap of actions that are set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act, which was signed into law in July of this year, commits Ireland to reach a legally-binding target of a climate-neutral economy no later than 2050 (the “National Climate Objective”), and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The carbon budgets will determine the level of greenhouse gases that may be emitted in Ireland in a given five-year period and will be consistent with furthering the achievement of the national climate objective.

Under the Act, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) is tasked with preparing proposed carbon budgets based on the most up to date scientific evidence and analysis, and then presenting its proposal to the Minister.