Air

An Taisce has written today to Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD on the eve of what may be his final EU Environment Council meeting.

A new EPA report highlights that Ireland has now breached its ammonia emissions threshold for three years in a row, from 2016 to 2018. An Taisce considers that the measures proposed by the Department of Agriculture to reduce ammonia are insufficient, and without drastic action, including significant herd reduction, Ireland’s ammonia emissions will continue to rise, leading to the premature deaths of unsuspecting Irish people, and further exacerbating the national and global biodiversity crisis.

An Taisce wrote today to each of the 13 Irish MEPs to demand sustainable recovery investments.

While the immediate priority is to address the public health emergency, public stimulus packages are being developed to relaunch the economy. Given the monumental size of these investments, how we invest this money will determine whether we succeed or fail in the fight against climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, widespread pollution and inequality.

Action on air pollution needed for public health and quality of life in Ireland.

Ireland faces growing breaches of World Health Organisation(WHO) air pollution standards, in particular through the increase in number of diesel cars which release fine particulate matter.

In May 2016, the Commission launched the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR), an analysis over a period of two years aimed at improving the implementation of existing EU environmental policy and legislation. As a first step, the Commission drafted reports on the 28 member states, in order to identify environmental challenges and opportunities. The aim in producing these reports has been to bring about communication over common environmental challenges within the EU and also the best ways to address major issues in implementation.

The diesel emissions scandal, which started with Volkswagen, is now sweeping across the entire motor industry, with Renault, and Fiat Chrysler among the latest big name brands to be accused of cheating emissions tests.

What this proves, once and for all, is that diesel engines are too dirty – and dangerous to human health – to be allowed to continue to enjoy low tax rates (11 cent per litre less than petrol) and cheaper prices at the pumps, according to An Taisce, which also favours banning diesel vehicles from built-up areas, including Dublin city centre.

An Taisce are pleased to note that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is currently preparing a new Statement of Strategy for 2017 – 2019. This key policy document will define the "strategic direction, high level goals and objectives" on which the Department will focus for that period and “It will also identify key performance indicators to help the Department monitor its progress and ensure that what is set out in the document is being delivered.”

The cost of energy to lower income groups and the decarbonisation of energy sources are a major scientific, public policy and fiscal challenge. The consultation document refers to the extensive research and data available on energy poverty. There are ESRI and reports outlining the energy poverty issues, but no solution or action plans are in place. This fuel poverty issue is repeatedly highlighted by NGOs such as St Vincent de Paul.

A real chance to reduce premature deaths from air pollution

An Taisce – the National Trust for Ireland, is calling on Minister Hogan to support stronger air pollution standards at tomorrow’s meeting (12 June) of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg.

If EU Ministers agree, citizens will benefit from improved limits on medium-scale power plants (between 1MW and 50MW), and a more ambitious new National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive, a critical piece of EU-wide air quality legislation.