The Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) is the latest update to Ireland's roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net zero by 2050. The plan, which was launched on 21 December 2022, sets out ambitious targets and actions for all sectors of the economy, including transport.

Transport is one of the main sources of emissions in Ireland, accounting for 20% of the total in 2019. To meet the carbon budget and sectoral emissions ceiling for transport, CAP23 aims to deliver at least 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys by 2030 and a 10% reduction in the number of kilometres driven by fossil fuelled cars.

To achieve this, CAP23 outlines a range of measures to improve and expand sustainable mobility options across the country, such as:

- Investing €8.6 billion in public transport infrastructure and services, including BusConnects, MetroLink, DART+ and rural transport
- Developing a network of safe and segregated cycling and walking routes in urban and rural areas, with a target of 10% of all trips to be made by bike by 2030
- Supporting the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) through grants, tax incentives, charging infrastructure and public procurement
- Implementing demand management and behavioural change initiatives to reduce car dependency and encourage modal shift, such as low emission zones, parking levies, road user charging and mobility hubs
- Promoting the use of alternative fuels and technologies for freight and public service vehicles, such as hydrogen, biogas and e-fuels
- Enhancing the integration and accessibility of transport services through digital platforms, such as Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI)

The National Sustainable Mobility Policy, published in April 2022, provides the strategic framework for these actions, while the Action Plan 2022-2025 sets out the specific steps and timelines for their implementation.

The CAP23 also recognises the co-benefits of sustainable mobility for health, well-being, social inclusion, air quality and economic development. By making it easier for people to choose walking, cycling and public transport over car journeys, Ireland can not only reduce its emissions but also improve its quality of life.

Sources:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7bd8c-climate-action-plan-2023/
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7bd8c-climate-action-plan-2023/#climate-action-plan-2023---annex-of-actions
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/848df-national-sustainable-mobility-policy/
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/848df-national-sustainable-mobility-policy/#sustainable-mobility-policy-action-plan-2022---2025
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/d3341-transport-vision-in-climate-action-plan-will-transform-how-we-travel-over-the-coming-7-years