Despite recent emission falls, Ireland is “unlikely” to cut greenhouse gases by as much as hoped, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) said.
“Without immediate and decisive action, the cost of failing to meet EU targets could exceed €8bn for the period up to 2030,” CCAC chairwoman Marie Donnelly said.
The council is submitting its final annual review under the current Government today and made clear the challenge that lies ahead for whichever parties form the next one.
“Ireland needs to massively reduce its reliance on fossil fuels,” it says, adding that the Government must send the clearest signal that this is the direction of travel by first scrapping fossil-fuel subsidies.
Ireland subsidised the fossil-fuel industry to a value of about €4.7bn in 2022 through various schemes and tax exemptions, including allowing jet fuel to escape the carbon tax.
“It will be crucial for the Government to ensure that targeted financial supports are available to support households to transition away from fossil fuel-intensive activities,” the CCAC report says.
These could include putting “targeted supports in place for households and businesses, which will make heat pumps and EVs more accessible, and further delivering on the retrofit of our housing stock”.
Lower-income households should be targeted as a priority, it says, adding that an “effective and fit-for-purpose planning system” must be another focus.
Ireland has a national target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51pc by 2030 compared with 2018 levels, but is on track to achieve at best a 29pc reduction.
It also has an EU target of cutting emissions by 42pc compared with 2005 levels, which comes with severe penalties if breached. The country is currently on track for a 25pc cut at best based on that criteria.
The Government’s Economic Evaluation Service estimates the cost of non-compliance at between €3.5bn and €8.1bn by 2030.
The CCAC notes that a Brussels based think-tank, Transport and Environment, assessed the likely penalty at €9.6bn.
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Publish date : 2024-10-22 17:00:00
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