Ahern calls on Government to address €3.3 billion environmental investment gap
Ahern calls on Government to address €3.3 billion environmental investment gap - The Labour Party
Responding to the publication of the European Commission’s latest Environmental Implementation Review report, Labour Spokesperson for Climate, Environment and Energy, Deputy Ciarán Ahern, has said the Government need to move further and faster in addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis. He has called on Government to commit to providing the necessary investment to address the deficits in our environmental protection measures.
Deputy Ahern said:
“This report makes for sorry reading for those of us who recognise the urgency needed to avoid climate catastrophe. It shows that we are falling way behind so many of our European neighbours when we should be leading. There’s a clear lack of ambition.
“That lack of ambition is summed up by the fact that we have a €3.3 billion environmental investment gap and it shows. We’re failing across so many areas, and were actually breaking European law in some like wastewater treatment.
“Areas like our waste sector require substantial investment to move away from incineration and to improve recycling, particularly given our landfill sites are nearing maximum capacity. People need to be encouraged and supported to move towards a more circular economy, and the State needs to remunicipalise our waste services. Instead, we’re seeing regressive moves like the sale of Bord na Móna Recycling, the last State-owned waste collection company.
“Moreover, the Government, and Minister O’Brien in particular, need to get the Marine Protected Areas legislation over the line as a priority. The long delays are causing uncertainty for inshore fisheries and hampering the development of offshore wind infrastructure, which will be vital for our long-term energy security and move to clean, sustainable sources.”
Deputy Ahern continued:
“None of this should be news to the Minister. He knows what the issues are, but I have yet to see any sort of urgency in addressing them.
“We’re facing fines of up to €26 billion for failing to meet our climate targets. That’s public money that could be instead be used to actually improve people’s lives through climate action, like a State retrofitting scheme to bring down bills and keep homes warmer or by investing in our public transport.
“Climate action isn’t a cost, it’s an investment. Government need to realise the enormous opportunities in climate action. Yes, reducing our emissions is about securing our future, but it’s also about providing new, decent jobs for people, improving public health and protecting our environment.”