7th May 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SCRAP NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY

The Green Party has called on the Government to scrap the National Climate Change Strategy as new figures reveal that Ireland is the worst offender in Europe on Climate Change emissions.  New figures from the European Environment Agency show that Ireland is already exceeding the targets set for the 2008-2012 period.

The Green Party have tabled a motion for the Dáil later today calling for a root and branch reform of the Programme for Government in order to attain the targets set under the Kyoto Protocol.

Green Party Environment spokesperson, Ciarán Cuffe TD, said today "The current Climate Change Strategy should be scrapped with a new strategy drawn up immediately.  Failure to meet our C02 emissions targets may well result in steep fines from the European Union.  There is also the increased risk of extreme weather events such as last year's flooding.”

"We are approaching the first anniversary of Ireland's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by Noel Dempsey TD, on the 31st May last year. At that time the  Government said that climate change was the most serious global environmental problem facing us and future generations. The Green Party are now questioning the Government's commitment to tackling climate change. For example, this Government’s  current investment in roads is five times that spent on public transport. So far, the response from the Government has been just hot air.”

The Green Party wants the government to:
-Increase spending on public transport;
-Improve energy efficiency in the building regulations;
-Increase investment in wind energy and
-support improvement in insulation and efficiency in existing buildings.

"Perhaps the Taoiseach could set a national example by taking the train or bus to meetings occasionally, instead of the car or jet."

Note:  See attached Dáil Motion

Text of Motion for Dáil Éireann follows:

'In regard to Climate Change, given that Ireland now has the worst record within the European Union regarding our failure to comply with the targets set under the Kyoto Protocol, with a 31% increase in climate change emissions since 1990, will the Government immediately scrap the ineffective Climate Change Strategy, and undertake a root and branch reform of the Programme for Government to ensure compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, to avoid massive fines, and to reduce the risk of future flooding and other extreme weather events.'

Link to European Environment Agency:

http://org.eea.eu.int/documents/newsreleases/ghg-2003-en