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