A major crackdown on car parking in urban areas is being considered by the Government in a bid to meet its carbon reduction targets.

Cabinet will meet today to consider the latest Climate Action Plan.

Measures to be discussed include reducing car parking spaces at public sector buildings in areas where there is good public transport, along with removing minimum car parking requirements.

The total distance driven across all car journeys will also be slashed by 20% under the plan.

A memo being brought to Cabinet by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan today sets out targets for nearly a third of all private cars to be electric by 2030, and for solar panels to be installed on all new homes, public buildings and schools where possible by 2025.

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A cut down in on-street parking to encourage walking and cycling will also be examined, as well as a transition by public bodies towards "market pricing" for car parking.

The Government will also consider the introduction of congestion charging, as is done in London, but a source close to Mr Ryan last night said there was "no specific commitment" to bringing in such a strategy.

A new green electricity tariff will also be developed by 2023 to encourage people to use renewable electricity at times when there is high wind and solar generation.

The rate at which new forests are planted will increase to 8,000 hectares per year from next year.

The Government has an EU commitment to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030, along with a target for Ireland to be climate neutral by 2050.