Climate crisis escalates as Government props up fossil fuels
Climate crisis escalates as Government props up fossil fuels - The Labour Party
- Report confirms Europe fastest-warming as Government drags its feet
Labour climate and energy spokesperson Ciarán Ahern TD has warned that the latest European State of the Climate Report for 2025 must act as a wake-up call for Government, as it confirmed Europe is now the fastest-warming continent on Earth. Speaking today as Government outlines a €500 million package directed towards fossil fuels, Deputy Ahern said the response is effectively an admission of Government’s failure to sufficiently wean Ireland off fossil fuels.
Deputy Ahern said:
“This is another report that should ring alarm bells right across Government. It lays out in stark terms that from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle, Europe’s climate is shifting in ways that are no longer subtle or distant. The consequences are already cascading across our environment. This is not a warning about the future. This is a reality unfolding now.
“We accept the need for some sectoral relief during this crisis. But the Government must also recognise that this €500 million package is, at the same time, pumping more money into the fossil fuel industry. At a moment when we need to accelerate away from fossil fuels, this decision sends us in the opposite direction. The necessity of this sort of intervention reflects the Government’s failure to sufficiently invest in and scale up our renewable generation and storage capacity.
“Working people are already carrying the heaviest burden in this crisis. Ireland has some of the highest energy costs in Europe, and families are struggling to keep up. PAYE workers need a break now. Labour has been clear that targeted energy credits must be restored to support those who are being squeezed every single month.
“If we are serious about reducing reliance on fossil fuels, we must make the transition practical and accessible for ordinary households. That means moving beyond once-off supports and delivering sustained measures that bring down costs in a real and lasting way. Labour has consistently put forward practical solutions that would make a difference in people’s homes.
“Simple plug-in solar systems, like those already available in Germany and the UK, would allow households to generate their own electricity and cut their bills without facing high upfront costs. A zero interest loan scheme would bridge the affordability gap for families who cannot meet the cost of retrofitting, even with existing grants. Increased investment in the Warmer Homes scheme would reduce waiting times and ensure that low-income households can access upgrades that lower both emissions and energy bills.
“These are the kinds of measures that deliver for people while also driving down emissions. They stand in sharp contrast to a Government approach that continues to rely on short-term thinking and misplaced priorities.
“We cannot continue with a situation where the scale of the crisis is met with half measures. The science is clear, the impact is already being felt, and the window for meaningful action is narrowing. Government must change course. It must deliver support for working people, cut costs, and accelerate the transition we urgently need. The time for hesitation is over. We need action now.”