Sectoral Emission Ceilings

Sectoral Emission Ceilings

Introduction

On 28 July 2022, the Irish Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings which set maximum limits on greenhouse gas emissions for each sector of the Irish economy to the end of the decade.

These ceilings will operate within the parameters of Ireland's carbon budgets, which set out a pathway for Ireland to meet its 2030 target of reducing emissions by 51%, relative to 2018 levels, and becoming net zero by no later than 2050.

The ceilings have been set for sectors such as Agriculture, Built Environment (Commercial and Residential), Electricity, Industry and Transport. The below table lists these sectors and the emissions reductions required out to 2030 to meet their respective ceilings.

Finalising the Sectoral Emissions Ceiling for the Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector was temporarily deferred. CAP23 includes commitments to finalise the ceiling by the end of 2023.

Sectoral Emission Ceilings in the second Carbon Budget period (2026-2030) include unallocated emission savings, reflecting that, in setting the second carbon budget for 2026-2030, it was not possible to fully identify all the emerging technologies, changing scientific consensus or policies to meet our full ambition. CAP23 includes commitments to undertake analysis and distribute the unallocated emission savings by the end of 2023.

Further information on the Sectoral Emissions Ceilings is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/76864-sectoral-emissions-ceilings/.