Greens and the EU are fretting that Ireland just doesn’t do enough.
The Commission’s 2019 Country Report for Ireland states that we are “falling further behind” our EU compatriots in decarbonising the economy, raising “health, climate and environmental concerns”.
The report points to “severe challenges” in tackling rising emissions in transport, agriculture, energy and the built environment.
In 2016, emissions increased by over 2.5 per cent in agriculture, four per cent in transport and six per cent in the energy sector – primarily due to an increase in the use of gas for electricity generation.
Yeah not so good.
The Commission’s analysis, however, indicates that there is “no signs yet that a reversal in trends is to be expected” with both our 2020 and 2030 targets set to be missed.
The Government has accepted that we will fail to meet our 2020 target, with the Minister for Climate Action, Richard Bruton TD stating that current projections put us 95 per cent off target.
Dum dum dum
Without further action now, compliance with EU commitments will become “increasingly challenging and could become costly”, the report finds, due to a “lack of early action” to meet our targets.
In order to try and meet our 2030 emissions reduction target, Ireland will need to purchase carbon credits “on a large scale during 2021-2030” from other EU members that have exceeded their targets.
“The lack of progress will make the challenge of meeting Ireland’s EU obligations that more difficult, while also increasing the cost of future action,” the Commission report states.
Mr Bruton has previously said that Ireland will need to spend between €6m and €13m on carbon credits to try and bridge the gap to our 2020 target. This will bring total State spending on emissions allowances and renewable credits to €120m since 2007.
This is an interesting twist.
With Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google all now committed to source 100 per cent of their energy from renewable sources, the Commission said that Ireland’s lack of progress may also be “raising concerns for some key multinational companies”.
And of course, just make ‘em pay.
Despite the addition of a one per cent vehicle registration tax surcharge for diesel cars in Budget 2019, diesel is still taxed at a lower rate than petrol “even though it emits more air pollutants”, the report adds.
A recent Economic and Social Research Institute study found that bringing the diesel levy in line with the rate of petrol could reduce Ireland’s emissions and bring in €500 million for the exchequer.
The proposed increase in the carbon tax in Budget 2019 would have been an “important and much-needed signal to economic agents”, the Commission said.
Circular! That ought to do it.
The Commission also said that Ireland would benefit from a national strategy for the transition to a more circular economy, with progress toward mandatory recycling targets slowing in recent years.
They should finally put some teeth in the Paris accords by adopting the nuclear option. Yes, the REAL nuclear option – nuke em if they don’t comply. This will leave more energy for the rest of us.
I’d be interested in people’s thoughts here on the following presentation I prepared last year on 200 years of climate change in Ireland. It is a quick and easy read with colourful graphs and the minimum of statisitcs so all can understand it readily. I’ve tried to advertise it as much as I can online and it generally gets a good reaction from people and climate catastrophe enthusiasts get quite annoyed about it.
https://www.scribd.com/document/382781490/Climate-Change-in-Ireland-Over-the-Last-Two-Centuries
I prepared because Ireland has one of the longest climate records for a single site in the world back to 1796. As you can see in the presentation the longterm trend in Ireland follows the global trend very closely (slide 13).
What is a climate record?
I’m familiar with weather records.
Joe, thank you , a very interesting piece of work . Will have to compare with CET.
I’d like to copy it and use it locally (Isle of Man) as we have greenies here making a fuss but it is behind a paywall. Shame.
John, it is not behind a paywall. You can download it from scribd as far as I know (I see a button for that).
I’d be interested in people’s thoughts here on the following presentation I prepared last year on 200 years of climate change in Ireland. It is a quick and easy read with colourful graphs and the minimum of statisitcs so all can understand it readily. I’ve tried to advertise it as much as I can online and it generally gets a good reaction from people and climate catastrophe enthusiasts get quite annoyed about it.
(it won’t post the comment – google Climate-Change-in-Ireland-Over-the-Last-Two-Centuries & scribd)
I prepared because Ireland has one of the longest climate records for a single site in the world back to 1796. As you can see in the presentation the longterm trend in Ireland follows the global trend very closely (slide 13).
test
“Despite the addition of a one per cent vehicle registration tax surcharge for diesel cars in Budget 2019, diesel is still taxed at a lower rate than petrol “even though it emits more air pollutants”, the report adds.”
https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2019/02/28/demonised-diesel-land-rover-discovery-4×4-found-to-be-20-times-cleaner-than-a-renault-clio-as-new-emissions-test-reveals-which-cars-really-are-dirty/
Ooops
The Emerald Isle is already green.
Just keep it the way it is.
eejits
“In order to try and meet our 2030 emissions reduction target, Ireland will need to purchase carbon credits “on a large scale during 2021-2030” from other EU members that have exceeded their targets.”
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How likely are other EU members to exceed their targets? From what I have heard, not very.
And if no country exceeds their targets, who will they buy carbon credits from? Uhm…I’ll volunteer for that. Get your carbon credits here, discount coupons apply for the first 20 countries. US dollars only. Pay through the nose and together we will save the planet!