Why Ciarán Brennan Says the Government is Ignoring Climate Change: The Rising Costs of Inaction

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Why Ciarán Brennan Says the Government is Ignoring Climate Change: The Rising Costs of Inaction

The saying “A stitch in time saves nine” suggests that fixing small issues right away prevents them from becoming bigger problems later. Unfortunately, it feels like this advice has been overlooked by the current Government in Ireland.

Right now, Ireland is in a tough spot regarding climate obligations. Reports indicate that we could face costs of up to €26 billion for not meeting our EU climate targets, making us the worst offender in Europe for emission reductions. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council warn that ignoring these issues now will lead to serious financial consequences in the future. Thankfully, there’s still time to take action and invest in solutions like enhancing our energy grid and promoting electric vehicles.

However, while these warnings surface, we see the Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate, and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, seeking approval for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. This move prioritizes fossil fuels, diverting funds away from more sustainable energy options. The Government seems focused on temporary fixes rather than embracing long-term solutions that genuinely reduce our fossil fuel reliance.

Storm Éowyn showcased just how vulnerable our electricity infrastructure is to severe weather. Instead of investing in LNG, why not strengthen the electricity grid to be more resilient and capable of supporting renewable energy? Creating a comprehensive national strategy for renewable energy would be a smarter path forward. This could involve:

  • Offering more support for microgeneration.
  • Installing solar panels on every school and a million homes by 2030.
  • Funding community solar projects to help low-income households access solar energy.
  • Helping community energy groups connect to the grid, empowering local renewable energy initiatives.

These steps can significantly cut emissions and enhance energy resilience while improving everyone’s quality of life, especially those in challenging economic situations. Alongside rejecting LNG infrastructure, we can reduce fossil fuel subsidies, provide free school bus services, and retrofit homes for those in energy poverty by 2030 to create a greener Ireland.

Yet, the signs of a lack of commitment to meeting climate targets are troubling. For instance, the decision to prioritize road projects over public transport infrastructure will lead to more emissions. We’ve already seen funding for cycling lanes in Dublin slashed by nearly €16 million this year.

Moreover, the government seems intent on expanding data centers without assessing their energy demands, which does not align with our climate goals. Agriculture, being the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, also needs clearer guidelines for sustainability. There’s talk of providing more funding for farmers, but without clear support for nature restoration, we risk missing vital opportunities.

Our Government’s current focus leans heavily towards short-term economic growth, often at the expense of environmental protection. This approach is short-sighted. The next five years are crucial for meeting climate obligations and reversing biodiversity loss. If we don’t act decisively now, we could find ourselves in a precarious position as the impacts of climate change worsen.

We’ve been warned, and it’s time to heed those warnings for a sustainable future.

  • Ciarán Brennan is the communications officer with the Irish Environmental Network, a coalition of environmental NGOs.



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