An updated national Climate Action Plan outlining accelerated economy-wide measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be unveiled by the three Government leaders later this afternoon.
It is expected to include new measures to reduce the number of car journeys taken, reduce on-street parking and prioritise active travel and the use of public transport.
The plan includes a climate action roadmap for every sector of the economy consistent with the legally binding target of a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Last July, the Government set out details of extremely challenging and legally binding greenhouse gas reductions targets for every sector by 2030.
Emissions from electricity, for instance, are to be cut by 75%; transport by 50%; residential buildings by 40%; and agriculture by 25%.
But there was a lack of detail and no clear roadmap for how these targets would be achieved.
The updated Climate Action Plan to be published later today will provide at least some more clarity.
It will target a 20% reduction in car journeys, almost a third of private cars to be electric by 2030, and solar panels on all new residential buildings, public buildings, and where possible, schools by 2025.
An additional 28,000 hectares are to be planted with forestry by 2025.
By that date too, new green electricity tariffs incorporating premium prices for electricity at peak times are to be developed.
A range of transport demand measures are also to be explored, including the possibility of congestion charges in areas where there are viable alternative transport options available.
Other measures will see a reduction in car-parking spaces and higher parking charges.
The updated Climate Action Plan is expected to be unveiled by the Government this afternoon.
Article Source: Reducing car journeys in updated Climate Action Plan – George Lee – RTE