Green Party calls for rapid action to meet emissions targets
The party said it comes amid recent warnings from climate scientists that there is now a chance earth could exceed the critical 2°C warming threshold within the next five years.
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a
1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030″ according to the EPA report.
However while the EPA has underlined the 'progress' the agriculture sector has made in relation to reducing GHG emissions, it has also warned that emissions from the Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector are projected to increase by up to 95%.
Green Party Leader, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman stated: 'The Green Party in government delivered the lowest level of carbon emissions in 30 years, turning the tide on years of stagnation in progress.
'Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to bring the same level of urgency to reducing emissions – but that means heeding the warnings of the EPA and making the shift from policy aspiration to fast-tracking practical implementation.'
Green Party on emissions report
The Green Party proposes stepping up ambition and investment in sectors which it said are lagging behind in emissions progress, such as transport and buildings.
Green Party spokesperson for climate, communications and energy, Ossian Smyth said: 'The changes that Ireland needs to catch up with the rest of Europe on climate will improve our daily quality of life.
'If we bring LUAS and commuter rail to our regional cities, help people in rural Ireland to buy EVs [electric vehicles], and make it safe for all children to walk and cycle to school, we will be back on the right track.
'We should be helping tenants and senior citizens with energy upgrades for their homes. If the rest of Europe is going to make these targets, there is no excuse for our Government to sit on their hands.'
The Green Party stressed that EPA's report states that even under the most optimistic scenario — where every climate policy and measure planned by the government is implemented in full and on time — we would still only achieve a 23% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The party is calling for further measures and innovative proposals across all sectors for rapid implementation to reach agreed targets.
'We call on the government to make a clear and renewed commitment to scaling-up climate ambition to reach our legally binding targets enshrined in the Climate Act,' the party has stated.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dublin Live
5 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Finglas apartment plans on proposed Luas route withdrawn following community pushback
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Plans to develop over 600 apartments on a site along the proposed Finglas Luas route have been withdrawn following serious concerns from the local community. The plans for 607 residential units within five blocks were intended for the KSG Group Site on McKee Avenue with heights of up to 10 storeys. The plans were submitted as a singular application despite the Jamestown masterplan for the area. This planning application was submitted for a site that was earmarked in the masterplan for primarily three but up to eight storeys. While a reason for withdrawal was not forthcoming through Dublin City Council planning, the application received considerable pushback from the community. Dozens of observations were submitted on the planning application from locals, resident groups and politicians, primarily objecting to the proposal in its current form. Issues raised included traffic concerns, overdevelopment of the site against the master plan, the need for the Luas and the overcapacity of the local water and sewage network. Fianna Fail councillor Keith Connolly raised concerns surrounding the lack of alignment with the masterplan for the area. He said: "The Masterplan clearly requires that developments be brought forward in a phased, coordinated manner, including the provision of surface water management infrastructure, green space, and community facilities. "This application appears to be a standalone development with no demonstrated coordination with adjacent landowners or a comprehensive Surface Water Management Plan(SWMP). There has been no evidence of a holistic approach to the side or any engagement with surrounding landowners, particularly those on the Jamestown Road side of the masterplan." While his party colleague, TD Paul McAuliffe added: "The Jamestown Masterplan, as adopted by the elected members of Dublin City Council,provides the agreed framework for development in this area. It is essential that all applications adhere to its principles to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and well-serviced community." While people Before Profit Cllr Conor Reddy said that the proposal "moves further away from the goal of a sustainable, mixed community rather than private rental". One of the adjacent land owners also had concerns about an access road planned for the their site and the lack of access to the proposal site for construction due to no agreement or engagement. They claimed that the applicant created a "ransom strip" with the proposal. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ambitious plans for TWO new ‘circular' Luas lines through busy Dublin towns & M50 orbital route in project hopes
AN AMBITIOUS plan for the future of Luas in Dublin would see the development of two new circular lines that would run on the outskirts of the city centre. The Luas 2050 vision would also include new lines to Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Balgriffin, and Clongriffin, as well as the two new circle lines, and an orbital route outside the 2 A plan for the future of Luas in Dublin would see the development of two new circular lines Credit: Getty Images - Getty An internal presentation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland said that light rail would be a key part of However, it highlighted issues with the existing network with one line already running 'at or over capacity.' The slideshow said there were not enough trams on the Red Line which connects It said there were constraints to increasing services and managing future demand but that there may now be an 'appetite to address' some of the challenges given the success of the Luas network. READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS TII said longer 55-metre trams might not be a solution because they were slower and because so much of the Red Line was shared with It said this created possible safety issues and that more trams were needed rather than longer vehicles. The presentation said the capacity of the Green Line, which runs from Broombridge to Sandyford and Bride's Glen was 'ok for [the] short term.' It said some changes and increases in service were possible and that this could be accommodated with the existing fleet of trams. Most read in The Irish Sun TII said there were also issues around depots with the main facility at Sandyford 'land constrained' and not suitable for expansion. The presentation said there was room at Broombridge for an increase in size but that this was not ideal 'for operational reasons.' RED COW EXPANSION It said an option around land acquisition and possible expansion at the Red Cow could also be looked at in the future. The slideshow also put forward the possibility of numerous added lines including an ambitious plan for circle routes over the next twenty-five years. One of the suggested "circular" lines would run from Finglas past DCU, through Drumcondra, along Griffith Avenue, and onwards to Marino and Fairview. 'NEW LUAS PROJECT' It said that in the immediate short term, work should continue on a Luas extension to Poolbeg as well as studies on the efficiency and flexibility of the existing Red and Green Lines. The slideshow suggested a 'new Luas project' should be examined, with one possibility a connection to UCD. It also recommended moving forward with an extension to The document said workshops on accelerating project delivery would be useful to help speed up development of new projects. 'CRITICAL PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE' It said: 'Initial findings are that barriers [and] delays are outside the control [and] remit of the project team." The presentation said from 2029 onwards, they should be looking at starting work on a new Luas line every one to two years to have an advanced network by 2050. Asked about the records, a spokesman for TII said: 'The Luas is a critical piece of public transportation infrastructure. 'Transport Infrastructure Ireland taking a strategic look ahead to 2050 allows for the public and decision-making bodies such as the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority to see where potential investments can be made to support the country's future growth and development.' 2 The proposed plan for the future of Luas in Dublin Credit: Transport Infrastructure Ireland
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
Future of the Luas: suburban routes and circular services around Dublin by 2050
An ambitious plan for the future of the Luas in Dublin would see the development of two new circular lines running along the outskirts of the city centre. The Luas 2050 vision would also include new lines to the suburbs of Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Balgriffin and Clongriffin, as well as the two new circle lines and an orbital route outside the M50 motorway. An internal presentation at Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said light rail would be a key part of public transport in the capital for the future and said plans for new lines should be accelerated. However, it highlighted issues with the existing network, noting one line was already running 'at or over capacity.' READ MORE The TII slide show noted there were not enough trams on the Red Line, which connects Dublin's Docklands to Tallaght and Saggart, Co Dublin. A Sandyford-bound Luas in Dublin city centre. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has set out possible expansion plans. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill It said there were constraints to increasing services and managing future demand, but there may now be an 'appetite to address' some of the challenges, given the success of the Luas network. TII said longer, 55-metre trams might not be a solution as these were slower and because so much of the Red Line was shared with cars including at busy junctions. It said this created possible safety issues, so more trams were needed rather than longer ones. The presentation also said capacity on the Green Line, which runs from Broombridge to Sandyford and Bride's Glen, Co Dublin, was 'okay for [the] short term.' [ Proposal for Finglas Luas stop near Dublin Airport rejected Opens in new window ] It said changes and improvements in service were possible and said this could be accommodated with the existing fleet of trams. Issues around depots were highlighted, with the main facility at Sandyford 'land constrained' and not suitable for expansion. Room at Broombridge was flagged for an increase in size, but this was not considered ideal 'for operational reasons'. It said an option around land acquisition and possible expansion at the Red Cow could be looked at in the future, while the presentation also put forward the possibility of numerous added lines, including an ambitious plan for circle routes over the next 25 years. One of the suggested 'circular' lines would run from Finglas past Dublin City University, through Drumcondra, along Griffith Avenue and onwards to Marino and Fairview. It said in the short term, work should continue on a Luas extension to Poolbeg as well as producing studies on the efficiency and flexibility of the existing Red and Green Lines. [ Finglas Luas: New tram line could service population of 60,000 by 2031 Opens in new window ] The slide show suggested a 'new Luas project' should be examined, with one possibility being a connection to University College Dublin, while it also recommended moving forward on an extension to Bray, Co Wicklow, with an indicative start date of between 2028 and 2030. The document said workshops on accelerating project delivery would be useful to help speed up development of new projects. 'Initial findings are that barriers [and] delays are outside the control [and] remit of the project team,' it noted. According to the presentation, from 2029 on they should be looking at starting work on a new Luas line every one to two years to have an advanced network by 2050. Asked about the records, a spokesman for TII said: 'The Luas is a critical piece of public transportation infrastructure. 'Transport Infrastructure Ireland taking a strategic look ahead to 2050 allows for the public and decision-making bodies such as the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority to see where potential investments can be made to support the country's future growth and development.'
