Environmental Subsidies and Similar Transfers

In 2019, environmental subsidies and similar transfers in Ireland were €1.0 billion, which was €85 million lower than in 2018 (see Table A). The main reason for the decrease was a reduction of €233 million in PSO Levy support to electricity generation from renewable sources in 2019 compared with 2018. Funding for wastewater infrastructure under the Capital Investment Plan increased by €85 million and tax relief for Electric Vehicles increased by €20 million from 2018 to 2019. Measurement of climate-related subsidies was carried out through the use of Rio Markers. Subsidy schemes that were principally targeted at climate protection were fully counted as climate-related subsidies. Schemes with multiple objectives which included climate protection as a significant aim, were partially included, i.e. 40% of the amount of the subsidy was included. For example, energy efficiency schemes generally specify a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as a significant objective, therefore 40% of funding towards energy efficiency programmes was counted as climate-related. Further information on the use of Rio Markers, as well as a list of climate-related subsidy schemes, is included in the Background Notes to this release.