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Will Ireland follow the example of Britain, and declare an “environmental and climate emergency”.

Irish Times 6th May 2019 In the quagmire of Brexit there is little to commend the UK government’s approach. This is in stark contrast with its clarity and leadership on climate change. It is the first national parliament to declare an “environmental and climate emergency”.

It has not only committed to “net-zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the climate change committee in Westminster has set out how this can be achieved. Net zero means, in effect, eliminating its carbon footprint in a dramatically transformed economy built on sustainability with a near absence of fossil fuels.

Ireland has some way to go before it could commit to such a course, but a Government report due in the coming weeks must show a similar level of intent, and include a roadmap to reduce the shocking levels of Irish emissions. Declaring an emergency may seem like tokenism but it injects urgency into consideration of the best course to take. Wicklow County
Council was the first Irish local authority to declare a “biodiversity and climate change emergency”.

The Government should endorse a similar vote in our national parliament and introduce binding legislation on
revised targets.

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-tackling-climate-change-pull-the-emergency-cord-1.3881910

May 7, 2019 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, Ireland