The government’s latest Climate Action Plan is not ambitious enough to put Ireland on a corrective course to meet our legally binding emissions reduction targets over the next five years, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said:
“The Climate Action Plan for 2025, which has been approved by Cabinet, shows that the government is only tinkering around the edges when it comes to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030.
“Not only is this putting us at greater risk of extreme weather events, it potentially leaves the State facing up to €26 billion in EU penalties.
“As things stand, we are a considerable way off hitting our emissions reduction target of 29 per cent by the end of 2025, with transport and agriculture among the sectors struggling to make progress.
“This is hardly surprising when successive FF/FG-led governments have failed to deliver a nationwide network of EV charging points, and continue to speak out both sides of their mouth when it comes to agriculture – despite the fact that this sector is responsible for one third of Ireland’s emissions.
“Ironically, the 2025 Climate Action Plan focuses on measures such as reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers, while in the same breath the government is seeking to renew the nitrates derogation.
“It is also concerning that this latest plan has not allocated all the emissions reductions that need to be made between 2026 and 2030 to specific sectors.
“We cannot afford any backsliding on climate action. While we still have a mountain to climb if we want to come anywhere close to achieving our targets, we need a robust Climate Action Plan that will get us back on course.”
April 16, 2025