2030 climate fine spend could be investment in transport
Labour’s climate spokesperson Ciaran Ahern TD has condemned Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s failure to take meaningful climate action.
Deputy Ahern said:
“Rather than making meaningful climate change, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are likely to attempt to buy Ireland’s way out of taking climate action. The report published by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council should sound alarm bells in Government buildings.
“Ireland could be set to pay between €8bn and €26bn to other EU member states on carbon credits for failure to reach our 2030 greenhouse gas emissions. It is also deeply concerning that the Minister has not yet even published a draft Climate Action Plan for 2025. The Minister is under a legal obligation to publish these plans annually to ensure that the whole of Government continues to be aligned with our 2030 targets and carbon budgets. The Minister has not yet told us when the 2025 Climate Action Plan will be published and this makes it more difficult for us to hold the Government to account on its targets and makes it easier for the Government to further miss their targets. We are today calling on the Minister to urgently publish the 2025 Climate Action Plan.
“For a small country, taking climate action at a State level should be possible. Labour has put forward a range of positive steps that would not only tackle the climate crisis, but also work to address the related cost of living crisis and ensure a just transition, such as long-term investment in public transport and a street-by-street retrofitting programme.
“In 2023, the transport sector was responsible for over one fifth (21.4%) of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in this sector would represent actual value for money for taxpayers when it comes to climate action, providing long-term sustainable infrastructure and solutions rather than going without these things and throwing good money at carbon credits or fines in 5 years’ time.
“Proving reliable public transport services and safeguarding cheaper public transport trips will encourage more people to leave the car at home and opt for a bus, train or tram. Government should be providing carrots, not just sticks. Developing our public transport capacity across all regions of the country needs to be a focus for Minister O’Brien, as well as key pieces of transport infrastructure in our cities like the long promised MetroLink.
“Decarbonising our transport system is not a panacea, but investing in reliable public transport and active travel could radically impact our carbon emissions.”