Carbon Pricing and Cross-Cutting Issues
Carbon Pricing and Cross-Cutting Issues
Introduction
The society-wide change that is required to reach our goal of climate neutrality can only be achieved if it is fully supported by a broader national policy framework, including our fiscal policies, sustainable finance and spatial policy. and the bioeconomy. While these policies may not have an immediate or direct emissions mitigation impact, they act as foundations that will support change, and create the environment that will allow for the successful implementation of other initiatives. It is essential that they remain coherent with Ireland’s climate action policies.
Carbon Pricing and cross-cutting policies in Climate Action Plan 2023
The actions associated with the carbon pricing and cross-cutting policies emphasise the importance of these policies as enablers of effective climate action. Key cross-cutting policies identified in the previous Plan included:
- Taxation policies, such as carbon tax and taxation of motor vehicles, that will promote sustainable outcomes
- Implementation of the National Planning Framework;
- Reform of the Public Spending Code to ensure that the shadow price of carbon in public sector project appraisal appropriately reflects Ireland’s climate ambitions;
- Development of a sustainable finance sector in Ireland; and
- Promotion of digital transformation, including through the National Broadband Plan establishment of remote working hubs;
- Development of a National Bioeconomy Action Plan.
Climate Action Plan
The 2024 Climate Action Plan will sustain our high level of climate ambition, as Ireland continues to strive for carbon neutrality by 2050. The actions identified in the 2024 Climate Action Plan can only be successfully implemented if the necessary cross-cutting and taxation supports are in place.
Consultation Questions
- Are there any unintended barriers within the planning system that should be addressed at national policy level in order to deliver our climate ambitions?
- What further opportunities exist within our taxation system, beyond measures already implemented and planned, to promote emissions reductions, either on an economy-wide basis, or in specific sectors?
- Further to recent reforms to Ireland’s green budgeting and public procurement policies, are there any additional measures that could be taken to integrate climate considerations into these policy frameworks?
- What additional opportunities exist to further promote the digital transformation of our economy and society to support Ireland in its transition to a carbon neutral society?
- What regulatory and administrative supports can be provided to organisations to help them carry out their business in a manner that aligns with the National Climate Objective?
- What regulatory or administrative supports can be provided to ensure bioeconomy activities accelerate across all sectors?
- What role can gender equality play in achieving our climate action goals? Are there any significant cross-cutting gaps not previously discussed in previous Climate Action Plans that need to be addressed? Are there any other cross-cutting issues that should be considered in the development of the 2024 Climate Action Pan?