Cabinet agreed gas emission targets, says Gormley

TARGETS TO reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contained in the Climate Change Bill, were agreed by Cabinet this week, according to Green leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

The Bill is one of a number of pieces of legislation the Greens want to see enacted before the Dáil is dissolved early next year.

Mr Gormley said he expected the full text of the Bill to be formally approved at next week’s Cabinet meeting, allowing for it to be published shortly afterwards and to come before the House next month.

“I hope that the parties on the Opposition benches that have supported the case for legislation will facilitate its early enactment,” he said.

Mr Gormley made the announcement in the Dáil while delivering the fourth annual carbon budget yesterday afternoon.

Mr Gormley revealed the proposed legislation contained a short-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 2.5 per cent per year, compared to 2008 emissions, by 2020.

There will be a medium-term target to reduce emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and a long-term target of 80 per cent by 2050, both compared to 1990 emissions.

Mr Gormley said he understood some sectors had concerns about the Bill, but insisted people had nothing to fear from the proposed legislation.

“I am acutely aware that there are particular concerns in the agricultural sector, but I believe this Bill poses absolutely no threat to the sustainable future of agriculture in Ireland,” he said. “I believe that the checks and balances in this Bill, combined with the work of Ireland’s negotiators and scientific advisers, will ensure that Ireland can meet the commitments contained within this Bill, while ensuring Ireland’s agriculture sector can continue to thrive and deliver high quality sustainable food.”

He continued: “With regard to the economy, there are a series of provisions contained in this Bill which ensures that commercial issues, competitiveness and economic growth are central to the consideration of measures to tackle climate change.”

Meanwhile, an expert advisory body will be established to advise the Government in relation to the Bill and on any developments in the international climate change situation.

Government departments will be required to draw up plans outlining objectives and obligations relating to climate change and an annual transition statement will provide accountability to the Oireachtas on targets.

“Further provisions on a number of issues are being considered by Government with a view to their introduction during the Bill’s passage through the Oireachtas,” he said.

Mr Gormley said global transition to a low-carbon future was both essential and inevitable. “Failure to act is not an option for any responsible society,” he said. The Climate Change Bill would allow Ireland to provide political leadership.

He described the Bill as innovative and inspirational and said it would represent a milestone for Irish policy.