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Today the GOVERNMENT’S CLIMATE Action Bill was published, which commits the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The bill would introduce changes to the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act.
Environment, Climate and Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said the bill seeks to ensure that the government achieves its emission reduction targets in continuous five-year plans.
The bill also legislates for a Climate Change Advisory Council that will make recommendations on how various departments, such as agriculture and transportation, should meet carbon budgets.
At a press conference today, the Taoiseach Michéal Martin said that a climate-neutral economy is not a meaningless ambition.
“No one can doubt the fact that action on climate will lead to many difficult decisions. By moving away from how we do things today, adopting new practices and eliminating harmful activities, “he said.
Martin added:
“The impact of our actions on the planet is undeniable. Science is indisputable. Climate change is happening. And we must act. “
The Taoiseach also said at today’s press conference that David Attenborough’s latest documentary shows the seriousness of the problem, stating that Ryan told the Cabinet to watch it.
Ryan said Attenborough is right, that a nature-based solution to the crisis must be found.
The bill published today does not include a section that prohibits the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2030, or the import of second-hand gasoline and diesel cars from that date.
This provision is mentioned in the Government Program.
An undersecretary of the government press stating:
“The government remains committed to introducing a ban on fossil fuel automobiles, as set out in the National Development Plan, the 2019 Climate Action Plan and the Government Program.
“However, EU law requires that such provision be notified to the European Commission prior to its entry into force, when the legislation is still a proposal. Therefore, there is a risk of delaying the promulgation of the other provisions of this priority legislation.
“The Department is currently preparing the specific evidentiary matters necessary to file a derogation case under EU law, and will continue to collaborate with the European Commission and the Office of the Attorney General on such matters.”
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Minister Eamon Ryan says the plan is a consensus approach. There is a level of oversight and ministers will be held accountable for their progress annually. pic.twitter.com/akdNKvyq9g
– Christina Finn (@ christinafinn8) October 7, 2020
“We will be leaders, not laggards. We start today, ”Ryan said.
The Taoiseach also noted: “Fortunately, Ireland does not have a significant movement of people questioning the scientific fact of the centrality of humanity in climate change.”
Also speaking at the event was Minister Ryan, who said: “This cannot be a one-government process, it has to be for the next five, six governments in a row if this is going to work.”
Under the bill, there is a level of oversight, and ministers are held accountable for their progress annually, Ryan said.
The minister said it will take the guts of a year to go through the whole process of looking at each sector and determining what they should do to reduce their emissions. “It will not be an easy process, it will require all sectors to change the way they do business,” he said.
“No one should underestimate the scale of change … this is not going to be easy or small,” Ryan said, stating that the 7% level of reduction is roughly the same as that achieved during the Covid-15 pandemic. “The scale of change of the exchange system that we are talking about is unmatched,” Ryan said.
He wanted to affirm that all these changes must involve a just transition and social justice, and he affirmed that the plan will not work if some are left behind.
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