Ireland in 2050: A Low Carbon Future

A Greenhouse Gas Neutral Ireland by 2050

Gemma O’Reilly

Climate Change Research Programme

November 14th, 2012

Outline

n Existing Irish Goals & Targetsn The Imperative for Actionn 80% reduction by 2050n The Role of Landusen A GHG neutral Irelandn Climate Finance Challengesn The Green Economyn Connecting the Dots

Existing Irish Goals and Targets

2020 Mitigation Targets

2020 Climate Finance Targets

Longterm Low Carbon Transition

Latest EPA projections suggest a cumulative shortfall of 2-20Mt CO2e up to 2020

Under the UNFCCC, Ireland is commited with other developed countries to jointly mobilise $100bn by 2020 from a variety of sources

At least an 80% reduction in GHGs from 1990 levels by 2050 (EU, 2009)

The Imperative for Action

EU analysis

An 80% Reduction by 2050

Current 2050

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

Forest Pre-1990

Forest since 1990

Managed Peat/wetland

Unmanaged Degraded Peat/Wet-land

Cropland

Grazing Land Mgmt; organic soils

Rough Grazing Land Mgmt; mineral soils

Improved Grazing Land Mgmt; mineral soils

Sinks

Estimated Potential Role of Landuse

Sources

A GHG Neutral Ireland by 2050

2010 2050

-20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

LanduseWasteEnergyResidentialIndustry & CommercialTransportAgriculture

Climate Finance Challenges

n Ireland as a member of the EU, voluntarily pledged up to €100m over the period 2010-2013, as part of an EU and developed country voluntary commitment

n In 2010, developed countries under the UNFCCC committed to a goal of jointly mobilising $100bn p.a. by 2020 from a variety of sources; public, private, innovative

The Green Economy

2020 Mitigation Targets

2020 Climate Finance Targets

Longterm Low Carbon Transition

Use efforts towards the 2020 goal to contribute to longer term low carbon and green economy objectives

Recognise the €100bn commitment as a large new market for climate products and services, providing impetus to green economy goals

Use long term ambition to drive development of Irish expertise in climate products and services, and to underpin green branding of Irish produce

Connecting the Dots

n Turn challenges into opportunities

n Green economy strategy should be linked to;n Early effortsn Long term ambitionn Climate finance strategy

n Mitigation ambition should be linked to;n Green brandingn Attracting FDIn Selling Irish climate products and services

Questions Welcome

Email: g.oreilly@epa.ie