In our twentieth Climate Ambassador podcast, we are joined by Minister for Environment, Climate & Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan, TD. In this discussion, we cover a wide range of topics including Ireland’s recently published Climate Action Plan, Ireland’s first carbon budget and how climate will stay central to all policy going forward.

In agriculture we look at changes due to a revised EU Common Agriculture Policy, how Just Transition is being included with payment systems and the Land Use Plan that is currently being drafted, which will include new forestry approaches. With regards peatlands, we hear how farmers should be paid for rewetting bogs, to store carbon and we also cover how soil and grassland management will be central to agricultural approaches.

With the continued ramping up of renewable energy, we hear where Minister Ryan envisions Ireland in 2030, including development of onshore wind and solar, offshore wind, and how with microgeneration in homes, schools, businesses and farms, we will soon see the ability to sell back to the grid any excess renewable electricity generated locally. We hear how this growth of renewables will be central to how the transport and heating sectors are decarbonised. Other topics such as data centres and progress at COP’s 21 & 26 are also covered in this open and honest discussion about opportunities that lay ahead of the Irish nation.

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2021: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6223e-climate-action-plan-2021/