“This is an extraordinary document -- anyone reading it would come away with the feeling that addressing the problems of global climate disruption is something which we must do, provided that it does not interfere with economic growth or with the way in which we currently live our lives” a spokesperson for An Taisce has said.  There is no sense of urgency, or of the scientifically proven reality that the survival of our world as we know it, is at serious risk -- as the cover of Time Magazine said last year "Be Worried -- Be Very Worried".

An Taisce are seriously concerned that the pattern of the 2002 -2007 Strategy will be continued, with a total failure to implement key measures.   Ireland is now the second worst emitter of Greenhouse Gasses in Europe, and is projected to be 29% above 1990 levels by 2010 according to the European Environment Agency.  “Had we implemented the first strategy we would not be in this embarrassing situation”. 

The global scientific community has stated (through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) that urgent and drastic steps must be taken.  The European Union's approach, though good, is weak.  George Monbiot, who has reviewed the scientific evidence, states that we must live on 10 % of the energy which we are now living.  An Taisce agrees with his analysis, and also with his conclusion that this reduction can actually be achieved.

The 2007 strategy repeats much of what the Government has already stated it is doing, and the principles for action set out in Chapter two are laudable.  But they are vague, lacking in detail, and with no target dates.

For example, there is no mention of the fact that, throughout Europe, Governments are setting high standards for buildings, to reduce the embodied energy and to cut energy used to maintain indoor temperature.  Sweden has declared that all new residential  buildings must be carbon neutral; in Germany the aim of some areas for many years has been to build only "energy plus" houses.  Yet in Ireland, our building regulations have been so weakened by the construction industry that we continue to allow the energy intensive concrete block.

This story began in 2000 with the publication of the first National Climate Change Strategy. In the following weeks and months we witnessed an immediate and consistent failure to implement this strategy, and consequently our emissions have gone seriously in the wrong direction since.  Many of the measures of the new strategy were flagged as part of the 2000 strategy. However An Taisce are hopeful that the publication of this plan represents a much needed new beginning. 

Ireland is currently experiencing some of the most rapid development, and in particular, low density urban sprawl in Europe.  “Our cities and towns are sprawling outwards, and every aspect of our lives is dominated by the car” a spokesperson said.  “A ‘modal shift from private to public transport’, is stated in the plan launched today, though this was also one of the aims of the 2000 strategy”. This has not been achieved. Public transport is a poor relative to the private car in the investment of the last seven years. In fact, the level of increase in transport emissions is the highest in Europe. 

Ireland is also the most fossil fuel-dependent country in Europe (Excluding Malta).  Ireland negotiated a 13% level increase on 1990 levels under Kyoto.  Already, levels are more than twice this amount in excess of Kyoto limits at over 26%.  The range of measures outlined in Ireland’s 2000 ‘National Climate Change Strategy’ were binned, often leaving commuters with no viable public transport options.    Already, the plan identifies the potential to buy in carbon credits from developing countries to meet our Kyoto commitments, even beyond 2012.  “This is haemorrhaging money out of the Irish economy, a cost that is falling on the taxpayer.  This could have been avoided by implementing the measures set out in the last strategy”  

Higher insulation standards were to be introduced under the 2002 strategy. However, hundreds of thousands of houses have been built with lower insulation standards before modest improvements were made. A freedom of information reply from a government department revealed that to introduce higher insulation standards would have a negative effect on the hollow block industry. It is difficult to achieve higher insulation standards with hollow blocks.  Energy rating for buildings was to be introduced under the 2002 strategy. By 2007 the inspectors required for energy rating have not yet been trained.

Ireland have the second highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Europe (17 tonnes per annum, when the EU average is 11 tonnes), and yet we are the richest by GDP.  We have significant untapped potential, all it takes is political will and a commitment to undertake the actions set out today. 

Tailor’s Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8