Climate Change Bill published at last! – Eco-Congregation Ireland

Eco Congregation Ireland is delighted that the Climate Change Response Bill has finally been published.

This is a testament to the campaigning efforts of Eco Congregation Ireland and other members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition. 86 TDs supported the Stop Climate Chaos Climate Commitment since June this year.

Mr John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, and Mr Ciaran Cuffe, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment with responsibility for Climate Change, published the Climate Change Response Bill 2010 on 23rd December.

The Bill, which has been in preparation for the past 18 months, includes a short-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 2.5% per year, compared to 2008 emissions, by 2020; a medium-term target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and a long-term target of 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 emissions.

Ministers Gormley and Cuffe say they will be seeking to progress the Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas immediately, with a view to enactment in February 2011.

A Government press release states that the Bill sets out “a robust statutory basis to strengthen the national response to climate change”. Key provisions include “ambitious, but realistic”, national greenhouse gas emission reduction targets; a new national planning process encompassing both mitigation and adaptation; a new annual process on reporting to the Oireachtas; and a new Expert Advisory Body to advise Government on policy and implementation.

The objective of the statutory approach is to reinforce Government policy on positioning Ireland as a responsible country on climate change, with a progressive policy response focussed on transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable future. Transition aims to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities that climate change presents for Ireland and to significantly reduce our over-dependence on imported sources of fossil fuel energy.

ciaran_cuffe_td_website_articlethumbnail

“Climate change is an issue that not only threatens the natural environment we depend on, but also raises serious concerns regarding the potential impact on economic activity and the social fabric of society,” Minister Gormley said. “This legislation is about planning for the future. It’s about protecting our economy and our society in the long term.”

“Constructing a low-carbon economy is an enormous challenge, but it is a challenge that also brings immense opportunities. The low-carbon economy of the future will see the development of new industrial sectors. These new clean technologies will create new jobs and develop new sources of economic growth development.

Minister Cuffe said: “With our unique geographical, climatic and human-capital advantages, the enactment of this Bill will send a very clear signal to the global investment and business community that the direction of public policy in Ireland is unambiguous and that Ireland is a prime location for long-term investment opportunities”

“Since entering Government in 2007, we have been working solidly to ensure that Ireland is at the forefront of the international response to combating Climate Change. In an era of ever rising energy prices and insecurity, addressing Climate Change not only makes sound environmental sense but equally sound economic and social sense, particularly for job creation.”

On enactment, the legislation will establish our response to climate change as a national priority; that is a major policy milestone for this country in terms both of our contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and preparing to engage effectively and successfully in the clean, high-tech, low-carbon global economy of tomorrow.

“The emphasis on transition is key to the twin objectives of greenhouse gas mitigation and effective preparation in the low-carbon global economy,” Minister Gormley said. “Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are important indicators of our progress but let’s not lose sight of the big picture, the long-term vision of where we want to be. That, in my view, is a significant and necessary change in our approach to climate change policy; transition is so fundamental that we need a very clear and strong focus on the ultimate objective – a future that is economically and environmentally sustainable – if we are to map out a progressive and successful future for our country.”

The Minister also announced that a public consultation period will run until 28th January 2011. All information relevant to this consultation can be found on the Department’s website, www.environ.ie.

The main provisions of the Bill include:

* to underpin a core objective on transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable society;

* a short-term target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average 2.5% per year, compared to 2008 emissions, by 2020;

* a medium-term target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030 and a long-term target of 80% by 2050, both compared to 1990 emissions, both targets will serve as key milestones on the transition pathway;

* a requirement for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the approval of the Government, to produce a National Climate Change Plan which will address both greenhouse gas mitigation, and adaptation to the inevitable impacts of global climate change;

* a provision for the Government to require such Ministers as it considers appropriate to produce Sectoral Climate Change Plans to address mitigation and adaptation in their areas of responsibility;

* an Annual Transition Statement will provide accountability to the Oireachtas in relation to progress towards the transition goal, the milestone targets and implementation of the National Climate Change Plan (the Annual Transition Statement will replace the current Carbon Budget process);

* establishment of an Expert Advisory Body to advise Ministers and the Government in relation to functions under the Bill, including the national and sectoral planning processes, and the annual transition statement process; and

* obligations to be introduction for public bodies in relation to greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation to global climate change.

Minister Cuffe said: “The Climate Change Response Bill provides the framework for our Transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable and climate resilient society. All sectors of society have a part to play in this transition to a climate resilient society. Agriculture is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and Ireland has been active on the international scene to ensure that the link between climate change and food security is fully recognised in international agreements.

“The emphasis on the sustainability of agricultural production in Food Harvest 2020 serves as a reminder of the importance of avoiding carbon leakage in successfully implementing global climate policy as well as maximising the potential for increasing sustainable employment domestically.”

“Within our own policies, we emphasise the importance of an integrated approach to the emissions and sequestration from agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems. They must be considered together; agricultural and forestry policies must address the major potential for increased sequestration from farmed land, forestry and perennial energy crops. I look forward to further interaction with the Farming Organisations to exploit these potential opportunities and maximising Ireland’s efforts to fight Climate Change.”