Ireland's Revised Climate Bill
We now have a revised and much improved ‘Climate Bill’ because of people like you, because of civil society organisations such as Friends Of The Earth and elected officials who have lobbied, petitioned and protested for stronger legislation and the enshrining of a progressive Climate Law in Ireland for years. Now let’s get our teeth into this improved Climate Bill. It certainly is an improvement, and we will explain why, but first we most note one vital issue:
Photo Credit: Extinction Rebellion Ireland
Net Zero emissions by 2050 and 51% emissions reduction by 2030 sound ambitious right? Kind of. It really depends on who you’re speaking to. Achieving these targets will be difficult yes, but are they enough according to science and justice principles? No.
Are they in-line with our commitments to the Paris Agreement? Debatable.
If you are to account for climate justice, equity and our historical emissions the answer becomes a clear NO.
If we were to take these factors into account the year for Ireland to achieve net zero would be 2035 at the latest and 2024 at the earliest according to Studies from UCC and DCU.
Put simply, Ireland will be using far more of the global carbon budget than is fair. We’re sneaking a few more cookies from the jar to put it lightly.
Top scientists from around the world, some close to home, such as Prof. John Sweeney and energy expert Prof. Barry McMullin, have told us time and time again, testifying to the Irish Government on numerous occasions that net zero by 2050 is too late. They have told us that we need to be more ambitious.
Crucially however, this bill includes annual revisions to improve and strengthen targets every year going forward so these targets are only the starting point and will no doubt (here’s hoping) be brought forward.
Let us be clear; the new ‘Climate Bill’ is a huge step forward. However, it is not enough. Importantly, what it does is put in place a groundwork for the absolute minimum we must do as a nation in our efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5C goal.
What are they key takeaways from the improved bill?
Pros
The wording around ‘pursuing and achieving’ targets is more robust √
Clearer carbon budgeting every 5 years for departments is a positive step √
Inclusion of all sectors (Agriculture) in national emissions reductions √
Climate Neutrality by 2050 enshrined into law √
Cabinet accountability √
Inclusion of Biodiversity in overall goal √
Cons
Target does not properly consider historical emissions X
A weak definition for a ‘just transition’ X
2030 Target of 51% emissions reductions not enshrined into law X
Banning of Fracked Gas and LNG terminals not included X
The banning of such fossil fuel projects had originally been a ‘Red Line’ issue for the Green Party going into government and some environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion have called on the Government to add this to the bill.
What’s next then?
To be clear, this bill is not a plan of how to reduce our emissions. It enshrines into law the minimum that we must do by the years 2030 and 2050. For a country that has continuously missed emissions targets resulting in colossal fines from the EU this bill is very welcome.
The plan for reducing emissions comes next as the Government puts together a new ‘Climate Action Plan’ (CAP) over the next 6 months building on the plan produced in 2019. This new plan is currently in the initial stages and is seeking input from the public so please add your thoughts on this if you have the time.
The 2019 CAP was built with a truly brilliant framework which included a ‘Just Transition’ and laid out clear plans for most sectors to meet emissions reductions targets. There are certainly improvements that could be made to the 2019 CAP including provisions for improving energy efficiency for people in rental accommodation as well as more ambitious and detailed plans for agriculture and forestry.
Thankfully, the 2019 CAP has given us a great blueprint to meet our newly devised 2030 and 2050 targets. This process of designing the revised CAP will be finished by mid 2021 with climate dialogues being sought with Irish citizens and organisations who would like to have their say on how we as a nation are going to meet our five year carbon budgets, the first of which will end in 2025.
Our society is at a turning point as we near the end of the current Covid pandemic. We have a chance to restructure the systems of our society and the value we place on having a healthy, stable and liveable climate. The improved ‘Climate Bill’ is a massive step forward for this and will play a vital role in this transition as we as a society align ourselves with the Paris Agreement and our planetary boundaries.
Yes ambition needs to be increased and certain aspects clarified but taken as a whole it offers a great opportunity for Ireland to become a true climate leader.