The 2030 Emission Reduction Target as set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 is a 51% absolute reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Program for Government (Government of Ireland, 2021) .

An absolute reduction means that regardless of activity in the counties, the total GHG emissions across all counties by 2030 must be 51% less than the total GHG emissions in the baseline year, which in this case is 2018. For example, if the GHG emissions in 2018 were 100 CO₂eq, then the total allowable GHG emissions by 2030 is 49kt CO₂eq. The absolute target must be met regardless of growth or changes within the County’s sectors.

The South East Energy Agency (SEEA), on behalf of Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils and Waterford City & County Council, has prepared Tier 2 Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) for each Local Authority to serve as an evidence-base for mitigation planning in the region, and to inform the development of the 5-year Local Authority Climate Action Plan for each Local Authority.