Download - Irish climate policy and green jobs
Irish climate policy and green jobs
Neil Walker
Global Solidarity Summer School2nd September 2011
Outline
Structure and remit of IBEC’s policy units
The role businesses can play in helping to meet Ireland’s climate change obligations
How we can benefit from joined-up thinking about climate policy and the green economy
IBEC provides help and advice to a diverse membership
Circa 7500 members
Policy Division
Regional Offices
Business Sector Associations
Private sector Public sector
We cover a wide range of policy areas
Energy Occupational Health & Safety
European Affairs (Brussels)
Environment
Economics & Taxation
Joint Business Council
Transport and Trade
Social Policy
Survey Unit
Public Organisations
We view energy, climate and agriculture as interlinked
Ireland faces a colossal challenge over the period to 2020:– comply with EU targets on greenhouse gas
emissions, energy efficiency and renewables– maintain our cost competitiveness, particularly in
exporting industries such as food
A number of recent analyses broadly agree on where the biggest opportunities exist to meet our obligations at minimum economic cost
Irish GHG emissions reflect the structure of our economy
Roughly two-thirds arise from energy, one-third from farming
Much of the energy-related emissions are attributable to private transport and residential heating
If we strip out the EU ETS sector, then agriculture accounts for nearly 40% of remaining emissions
Opportunities for emissions reductions in the beef and dairy sector are quite limited– particularly in the context of sustainable job creation
through Food Harvest 2020
Cost implications
Abatement cost per avoided tonne of CO2
Typical examples of the low carbon technology
€0 - €20 Energy efficiency in buildings and transport
€20 - €40 Onshore wind energy, solid biomass fuels, biogas
€40 - €60 Improved farming and forestry practices
€60 - €100 Gaseous and liquid bio-fuels, electric vehicles
€100 - €150 Offshore wind energy, Carbon capture & storage
€150 - €200 Wave energy, hydrogen fuel cells
These costs are based on technical models so they don’t include any macro-economic “multiplier” effects.
Getting the right policy mix is vital (but tricky)
Business can play a leading role by delivering jobs and investment in low-carbon technologies for energy services such heating, lighting and transport. Many of these are still dependant on policy support.
To maximise the economic benefit to society, we must identify combinations of policies that are mutually reinforcing.
Failure to develop a coherent national climate change strategy could be extremely costly in terms of existing and future jobs.
To implement the chosen policy mix we would support the establishment of new institutions underpinned by new climate legislation.
Green jobs - can we give a helping hand?
IBEC is delighted to be associated with the NWPP Green Business initiative
We actively encourage members and non-members to avail of this free confidential service
Thank you