Friends of the Earth briefing on COP26
Issued in the blog on November 02, 2021 at 09:32:00.
Governments, civil society, climate justice activists, researchers and journalists from around the world are meeting for the UN climate summit (COP26) in Glasgow. The COP26 summit from the 31st of October to the 12th of November 2022 is a major opportunity to fight for climate justice, put a spotlight on Government promises and demand urgent climate action at local, national and international level.
Friends of the Earth has prepared a briefing with key information about the COP, why it matters, how you can get involved, what are the current obstacles and what the Irish Government must do to overcome them.
COP26 Global Day of Action for Climate Justice
Issued in the blog on October 29, 2021 at 09:51:00.
The COP26 UN Climate talks are starting in just a few days! Activists from all over the world are getting ready for a Global Day of Action for climate justice on the 6th November, the first Saturday of the talks. No matter where you are, you can get involved too.
Grassroots groups and trade unions have organised a march in Dublin city centre at 12 noon on the 6th of November for the Global Day of Action in response to the call to action from the civil society COP26 Coalition in the UK.
Poll finds overwhelming public support for plan to halve climate pollution
Issued in news on October 28, 2021 at 08:24:00.
Three times as many people think the impact of climate action will be "mostly positive" as think it will be "mostly negative"
80% of the public back the Government's plan to cut climate-changing pollution in half by 2030, and 60% think that the overall impact of climate action will be positive, according to opinion polling carried out by Ireland Thinks and published today by Friends of the Earth. Nine out of every 10 voters for both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael support the target, and two thirds of them think climate action will be mostly positive. Overall, more than three times as many people think the impact of climate action will be “mostly positive” as think it will be “mostly negative”. The results come as the Government considers this week's Carbon Budget proposals from the Climate Advisory Council and puts the finishing touches to the Action Plan to achieve the 2030 target, due to be published next week.
We're Hiring! We're recruiting an Energy Policy Officer
Issued in the blog on October 26, 2021 at 10:51:00.
Friends of the Earth Ireland is recruiting an Energy Policy Officer who will lead our policy analysis and advocacy related to the decarbonisation of the energy and heating sectors. This means focusing not only on Ireland’s climate and energy commitments but also addressing the root causes of social and environmental injustice and prioritising support for the most vulnerable.
Carbon budgets signal the start of an urgent, radical transformation
Issued in news on October 26, 2021 at 10:22:00.
Reacting to the release of the Climate Council’s proposed Carbon Budgets this evening, Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan, commented:
“The publication of the proposed Carbon Budgets signal the start of the most rapid and radical change in the Irish economy and society in our lifetimes.
“If you think of Whitaker and Lemass, free second level education, joining the EU, or the referendums of the last decade, the transformation we are now embarking on is all of those things rolled into one, and more.
New study finds Irish Climate Law to be broadly in line with international best practice
Issued in news on October 18, 2021 at 15:55:00.
2021 Climate Act is much strengthened from the 2015 law - the remaining shortcomings and concerns relate mostly to Climate Council’s independence from vested interest groups
An independent comparative assessment of the Irish Climate Act has been published today, 18th October [1]. The study by the DCU Centre for Climate and Society, which was commissioned by Friends of the Earth, compared the Irish law to other national framework climate laws in Europe and beyond. The study’s lead researcher, Dr Diarmuid Torney, assessed the extent to which the new Climate Act delivers eight core components that have been identified as key features of national framework climate laws. His analysis found that Ireland's Climate Act is broadly in the realm of international best practice, although there are some exceptions and remaining shortcomings.
Commenting on the study, Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan said:
"Given it took a 14 year campaign to get this climate law, it is good to see that the study finds it is broadly in line with international best practice.
“However the study makes clear that the climate law is just the framework for action. Now the real work begins as the Government agrees Ireland’s Carbon Budgets and the measures for every part of the economy and society to be supported to do its fair share to live within those budgets.”
System Reset National Youth Assembly
Issued in the blog on October 14, 2021 at 16:08:00.
Are you aged under 30? Or do you know a young person of that age who is interested in climate action and social justice?
Young people have been coming together through our System Reset project to explore the root causes of climate change and inequality. They’ve come up with solutions to these big issues to be raised with political leaders.
We’re excited to announce that these solutions will be showcased during our System Reset National Youth Assembly on 19th October. This assembly is open to people under 30 and will take place from 6pm to 8pm. Registration closes at 2pm on 18th October.
Click here to register for the Youth Assembly
What should the Carbon Budget be?
Issued in the blog on October 14, 2021 at 09:45:00.
With the Climate Council now up to full strength we expect them to move quite quickly to make their recommendations on the Carbon Budgets for 2021-25, 2026 to 2030 and 2031 to 2035.
We know the Government is very keen to have the numbers in the public domain before An Taoiseach and other ministers travel to the COP at the start of November. That means the Council would need to send their proposal to Government by the end of next week at the latest to give Government the chance to digest it.
Budget 2022 comment piece for the Irish Daily Star
Issued in the blog on October 13, 2021 at 11:37:00.
The most important news in Budget 2022 when it comes to climate action is something that isn’t happening. The increase in carbon tax won’t apply to home heating fuels – coal, peat briquettes, oil and gas – until next summer. Thankfully then, the Budget won’t add to the increasing energy costs we are all facing this winter.
Budget just one small step on climate action. Bigger decisions to come later this month
Issued in news on October 12, 2021 at 18:26:00.
Increase in fuel allowance to tackle energy poverty essential given rising prices
Friends of the Earth has welcomed a number of measures in Budget 2022 but emphasised that it is just one small step on the path to eliminating climate pollution. The environmental justice organisation particularly welcomed the measures to protect those at risk of energy poverty and the introduction of half-price public transport for 19-23 year olds.
Commenting, Friends of the Earth Director, Oisín Coghlan said:
“We have to cut our emissions in half by 2030 and it is imperative we do that in ways that reduce poverty and inequality.
