Denis Naughten TD has welcomed the publication of data by the EPA & SEAI which shows the significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by speeding up the delivery of fibre broadband and flexible working arrangements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have jointly released an analysis of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020. The estimates show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of almost 6 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019.

“In 2020 due to the Covid-19 restrictions there was a 17% reduction in transport emissions and we must now do everything possible to lock in this temporary reduction in the longer term by fast tracking the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and developing a comprehensive remote and flexible working strategy for employees and small business,” stated Denis Naughten.

“It is frustrating to see those so opposed to the National Broadband Plan in the past now have such a Pauline Conversion in Government, yet they have not secured one additional cent in the spending profile for the project over and above what I had locked in as Minister in 2018.

“The 2020 greenhouse gas emissions also clearly identify a spike in residential sector emissions by 9%, mainly as a result of the greater use of home heating. It has been disappointing that my successors have not treated this issue with the same priority which I placed on the topic as Minister. I now hope we can see a ramping up of measures to reduce energy in our homes by drawing down the full investment that I had already secured.

“It is also imperative that the Climate Action Fund plays its part in providing new innovative measures to build on the 2020 emission reductions and provide ground-breaking solutions to address the home heating challenge,” concluded Denis Naughten.

ENDS.

Editor’s Note:

Link to report on EPA website

https://www.epa.ie/newsandevents/news/name,70419,en.html

Making Remote Work: National Remote Work Strategy Report states:  “It has been estimated that for each new full-time remote worker, an estimated average daily transport-related emissions savings of approximately 2.6-2.9kg CO2, depending on petrol/diesel fuel mix, could be achieved”.

Link:

file:///C:/Users/NAUGHT~1/AppData/Local/Temp/119312_299c21e9-9ec6-4dab-a7fe-71bd0da3e1d0-1.pdf

The goal behind the Climate Action Fund is to bring people with us on the journey to a long term sustainable future here in Ireland.