Climate change is taxing issue
» Watchdog urging plan to cut emissions » Public transport commitments plea
IRELAND’S climate change watchdog has called for new taxation measures to cut emissions.
It warned it is “unlikely” the country will meet the targets in our first carbon budget.
The State has committed to reaching net-zero by 2050 and under EU law has to set out plans on how to get there.
We are now over halfway through the 2021-2025 budget.
But according to Environmental Protection Agency projections, we are set to overshoot our limit for the fiveyear period by 295-megatons, even with additional measures.
The Climate Change Advisory Council said there has been progress in some sectors but is now calling on Government and society to “redouble efforts to reduce emissions”.
Its chairwoman Marie Donnelly, said: “The impact and disruption of recent extreme weather in Ireland and globally continue to cause distress, uncertainty and economic challenge.
“Yet, the evidence shows the pace of emissions reductions in Ireland and globally is insufficient.
“While the reductions we are seeing in Ireland are welcome, they must be accelerated and delivered across all sectors and on a sustained basis. A crucial aspect of that delivery is cutting, and ultimately, eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels.
“The sooner we become independent from fossil fuels, the better it will be for our health, our security, the environment and our pockets.
“The rationale is clear – we do not have time for any further delays in climate action.
“Households and communities must be supported and enabled to make changes now, however incremental and be empowered through targeted information to plan for future purchases.
“To build on the progress made, the Council urges Government and all of society to redouble their efforts to reduce emissions and grasp the opportunity now, to create a climate neutral and sustainable society.”
The Climate Action Plan 2024 and sectoral emissions targets set out how the State will cut emissions causing the climate crisis.
But according to the stats set out by CCAC, an area in which we are failing is transport. In 2022, emissions from agriculture fell by 1.2%, electricity by 2% and the built environment by 11%. While industrial emissions were down by 7% but transport increased by 6%.
And the Council said the growth has sparked major concern.
Despite a “welcome increase” in public transport journeys and electric vehicle sales, petrol and diesel vehicle sales continue to rise and still make up the largest share of purchases. The CCAC also called for a commitment to the full delivery of promised public transport systems “given the importance of accessible and reliable public transport in supporting behavioural change”.
Pace of emissions reductions in Ireland & globally is insufficient MARIE DONNELLY CLIMATE CHANGE CHAIR