New Government ";gets Ireland to the starting line"; on climate action

Strong climate law in first 100 days essential to ensuring Progamme for Government is delivered

Commenting on the formation of a new Government Friends of the Earth Director, Oisin Coghlan said:

"The Progamme of the new Government is the strongest we have ever seen on climate action. But it only gets Ireland to the starting line in the race to contain climate breakdown. Our emissions were the same in 2019 as they were in 2009.

"The focus is now on delivery of the commitments in the Progamme for Government, and especially a new stronger climate law within the first 100 days. A climate law that will see the Dáil adopting two 5-year carbon budgets making the pledge to cut emissions in half by 2030 legally binding.

"Only a strong climate law will ensure all departments across government and all governments across time take climate change seriously and take action consistently to cut emissions. Friends of the Earth will continue to engage with TDs of all parties and none to progress legislation and policies that deliver a just transition to a zero carbon future.

"Even cutting our emissions in half in 10 years does not amount to Ireland doing its fair share to contain climate breakdown. This Programme for Government is only a downpayment. There is more to do.

"The climate justice movement in Ireland is stronger and more diverse than it has ever been. From the community activists who led the campaign to ban fracked gas, to the students who campaigned to divest their universities from fossil fuels, to the school strikers who have taken to the streets to save their future. Friends of the Earth will continue to help build this movement to achieve faster and fairer climate action that leaves no one behind."

For a more detailed analysis of the Programme for Government's commitments on climate action see this from the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.