11th May 2003                                      

IRELAND WORST IN EUROPE FOR CO2 EMISSIONS

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.

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 now approaching the first anniversary of Ireland's ratification of the
Kyoto Protocol on 31st May last year. At that time the Irish Government said that climate change was the most serious global environmental problem facing us and future generations. The Green Party are now seriously questioning the Government's commitment to tackling climate change.  An obvious example of this is the Government’s current investment in roads which is five times that spent on public transport."

The Green Party wants the government to increase spending on public transport; improve energy efficiency for 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."

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