Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has published Climate Action Plan 2024 for consultation. The draft Plan, which was prepared in accordance with the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act 2015-2021, and approved by Government in December 2023, sets out the key actions and measures to support the delivery of Ireland’s emissions reduction targets and overall climate objectives. The draft Plan is being subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA).

In accordance with the European Union SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programme) Regulations 2004 (SI No. 435 of 2004), as amended, an SEA is being carried out on Climate Action Plan 2024.

In accordance with the European Union Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and under the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (SI No. 477 of 2011), as amended, an AA is being carried out on Climate Action Plan 2024.

This consultation is an opportunity for members of the public to provide submissions or observations on the various aspects of Ireland’s most recent Climate Action Plan and associated environmental documents.

All interested parties are invited to share their views on Climate Action Plan 2024 along with the Annex of Actions, and the associated environmental documents. Links to these documents can be found below.

Climate Action Plan 2024, which was approved by Government in December 2023, is the second statutory update to the Plan since the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law, committing Ireland to 2030 and 2050 targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It builds on Climate Action Plan 2023 and outlines how Ireland will accelerate the action required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.

Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out that Ireland is making progress across many key sectors, but that measures must continue to be implemented at greater speed and scale to reduce emissions further while ensuring that quality of life is improved.

The most recent Environment Protection Agency (EPA) inventory figures show that Ireland’s emissions fell by just under 2% between 2021 and 2022 — with reductions across the agriculture, industry, energy and residential sectors — at a time when the economy and population were increasing. It is anticipated that these will fall further this year with continued changes.

However, with more extreme and frequent climate impacts, Climate Action Plan 2024 outlines that there can be no room for complacency, and that there is still a significant challenge ahead of us if we are to transition to a greener, cleaner future that improves people’s quality of life.

This public consultation seeks the views of the general public and interested stakeholders on both Climate Action Plan 2024 and the associated environmental documents.

If you wish to make a submission or observation on Climate Action Plan 2024, the Annex of Actions, or the SEA Environmental Report or Natura Impact Statement, you can do so on the online consultation platform here.

Alternatively, submissions can be made by email to [email protected] or by post to:

Climate Action Plan 2024 Public Consultation

Climate Action Plan and the Public Sector Division, 3rd Floor

Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications

29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, D02 X285

The closing date for submissions is 5.30pm Friday, 5 April 2024