Menu
10/12/2018
Ireland Ranked Worst European Country On Climate Change
Ireland has been ranked as the worst country in Europe for taking action against climate change for the second year in a row.
The Climate Change Performance Index was launched as part of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP 24) in Katowice, Poland, and is produced annually on the basis of joint analysis by two organisations; Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute.
This year's report places Ireland 48th out of 56 countries worldwide, up one place from last year.
It determined Ireland's performance in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions category as very low, and the region is also among the lower ranking performers in the Energy Use category.
Despite this, the Government was commended for passing the Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill and for the Citizens' Assembly process which produced far-reaching recommendations for climate action.
As a result, Ireland's performance on international climate policy has been rated medium, but experts have warned that "existing climate mitigation efforts will not enable Ireland to achieve either its EU 2020 or 2030 targets domestically".
Following the ranking, Christian Aid Ireland has called for immediate action on the issue.
Jennifer Higgins, Policy and Advocacy Advisor at Christian Aid, who is currently attending the UN Climate Conference in Katowice said: "This report, and Ireland's dismal ranking, clearly shows that Ireland continues to be bottom of the pack when it comes to tackling climate change, further reinforcing our status as a laggard rather than a leader when it comes to ambition on climate change.
"This is not the first time we have been put in this position, how many reports showing our shameful positioning in Europe will it take before the government starts implementing the real, ambitious and urgent change needed to tackle climate change.
"The recent IPCC special report clearly shows that the world has limited global greenhouse gas emissions to under 1.5 degrees and that we need to do it while it is still feasible. Policy makers in Ireland need to act now and shift from incremental change to transformational change. Only then can we achieve a secure and sustainable future."
(JG)
The Climate Change Performance Index was launched as part of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP 24) in Katowice, Poland, and is produced annually on the basis of joint analysis by two organisations; Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute.
This year's report places Ireland 48th out of 56 countries worldwide, up one place from last year.
It determined Ireland's performance in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions category as very low, and the region is also among the lower ranking performers in the Energy Use category.
Despite this, the Government was commended for passing the Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill and for the Citizens' Assembly process which produced far-reaching recommendations for climate action.
As a result, Ireland's performance on international climate policy has been rated medium, but experts have warned that "existing climate mitigation efforts will not enable Ireland to achieve either its EU 2020 or 2030 targets domestically".
Following the ranking, Christian Aid Ireland has called for immediate action on the issue.
Jennifer Higgins, Policy and Advocacy Advisor at Christian Aid, who is currently attending the UN Climate Conference in Katowice said: "This report, and Ireland's dismal ranking, clearly shows that Ireland continues to be bottom of the pack when it comes to tackling climate change, further reinforcing our status as a laggard rather than a leader when it comes to ambition on climate change.
"This is not the first time we have been put in this position, how many reports showing our shameful positioning in Europe will it take before the government starts implementing the real, ambitious and urgent change needed to tackle climate change.
"The recent IPCC special report clearly shows that the world has limited global greenhouse gas emissions to under 1.5 degrees and that we need to do it while it is still feasible. Policy makers in Ireland need to act now and shift from incremental change to transformational change. Only then can we achieve a secure and sustainable future."
(JG)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2011
Minister Hogan To Discuss Climate Change Legislation
The Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht has agreed to invite Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD to attend a meeting to spell out and clarify his position on climate change legislation.
Minister Hogan To Discuss Climate Change Legislation
The Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht has agreed to invite Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan TD to attend a meeting to spell out and clarify his position on climate change legislation.
24 August 2017
Govt Accused Of Failing To Show 'Real Climate Change Ambition'
Addressing climate change will insulate Ireland from international economic shocks, the Green Party has claimed. Leader Eamon Ryan also said that the Citizens' Assembly can help to start a new national dialogue on climate change. He accused the government of failing to show "real climate change ambition".
Govt Accused Of Failing To Show 'Real Climate Change Ambition'
Addressing climate change will insulate Ireland from international economic shocks, the Green Party has claimed. Leader Eamon Ryan also said that the Citizens' Assembly can help to start a new national dialogue on climate change. He accused the government of failing to show "real climate change ambition".
11 May 2017
BNM Group Meet To Discuss Littleton Closure Threat
Representatives of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions have met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to discuss the threat by the company to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton, County Tipperary.
BNM Group Meet To Discuss Littleton Closure Threat
Representatives of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions have met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to discuss the threat by the company to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton, County Tipperary.
10 June 2008
Effects Of Climate Change In Ireland Revealed By Report
A forthcoming report by the Irish meteorological department has revealed what we can expect from the effects of climate change. The study, due to be published on Tuesday, warns of rising sea levels and a huge impact on the south and east of the country in the coming decades.
Effects Of Climate Change In Ireland Revealed By Report
A forthcoming report by the Irish meteorological department has revealed what we can expect from the effects of climate change. The study, due to be published on Tuesday, warns of rising sea levels and a huge impact on the south and east of the country in the coming decades.
06 December 2011
Sinn Féin Seeks Climate Change Bill
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Environment, Community & Local Government Brian Stanley TD has challenged the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan, "to seize the opportunity to tackle climate change on an all-Ireland basis now that the Assembly will be introducing a climate change bill".
Sinn Féin Seeks Climate Change Bill
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Environment, Community & Local Government Brian Stanley TD has challenged the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan, "to seize the opportunity to tackle climate change on an all-Ireland basis now that the Assembly will be introducing a climate change bill".
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry for much of the night. Clear periods at first with mist and fog re-forming, Becoming cloudy later tonight with patchy drizzle towards the North Coast. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
