In February 2021, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Department of Transport (DoT) commissioned Jacobs and SYSTRA to undertake detailed transport modeling and appraisal to support the development of the Climate Action Plan (CAP21) and the emerging Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23). The modeling was carried out in three phases using the NTA's Regional Modeling System (RMS) and purpose-built tools.

This report presents an overview of the modeling process, a description of the Pathway measures, an assessment of the Pathway, and outcomes of the emerging CAP23 work. It is essential to note that the modeling assumptions and measures in the Pathway are not yet agreed-upon policy measures.

  • Climate Action Policy Ireland committed to ambitious climate targets through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The legally binding targets include achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and reducing GHG emissions by 51% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline. These targets are a key aspect of the Programme for Government.

CAP21, launched in November 2021, outlined actions necessary to meet climate targets, with an indicative range of 42-50% transport sector carbon emissions reductions. Subsequently, CAP23 was published in December 2022, focusing on accelerated implementation and delivery of actions to achieve the 2030 targets and move towards climate neutrality by 2050.

  • Transport Sector Emissions in Ireland (2018-2030): The transport sector is a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland, accounting for around 20% of the country's total carbon emissions in 2018. The majority of these emissions (95%) stem from road transport, including passenger cars, freight, and public transport.

The Pathway outlined in CAP23 provides a comprehensive approach to address transport sector emissions in Ireland, paving the way for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. By implementing the proposed measures, Ireland aims to meet its climate targets and become a leader in responding to climate change

You can find more information in the following link: Climate-Action-Plan-Phase-3-Modelling-Exec-Summary-v5.6.pdf (nationaltransport.ie)