Is Ireland doing enough to combat climate change?

What is Ireland doing to combat climate change? Is it enough? This is an important issue that we all need to face because we can see its consequences in everyday life. Explore Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2023, renewable energy progress, challenges and what you can do to make a difference with me.

A Green Island Facing a Global Crisis

As a European island nation, Ireland can be proud of its lush, grassy landscapes and its reputation as a land of natural wonders. However, Ireland today faces a tough challenge: the impacts of climate change that threaten to reshape the very fabric of this country.

Ireland’s unique geographic location and climate make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the country is exposed to rising sea levels, increased coastal erosion and increased frequency of extreme weather events, such as storms and flooding.

Ireland’s Carbon Footprint: High Emissions in a Small Country

With a population of just over 5 million, the country is responsible for around 1% of the European Union’s total emissions. This disproportionately high carbon footprint can be attributed to several factors, including a reliance on fossil fuels, an emissions-intensive agricultural industry and a heavy dependence on private vehicles for transportation.

Ireland’s electricity generation, for example, still relies heavily on natural gas and peat, which together accounted for over 60% of the country’s power mix in 2022. The agricultural sector, which is a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, is also a major source of emissions, particularly from livestock and the management of fertilizers and manure.

Ireland Combat Climate Change, The Urgency of Action

The urgency of the climate crisis demands an effort from all the nations around the world, so also Ireland has the responsibility for their emissions and leads the transition to a sustainable future.

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CAP23: Ireland’s Plan to a Sustainable Future

Decoding CAP23: Key Targets and Measures

In response to the mounting climate crisis, the Irish government has introduced the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), a plan to transform the country into a low-carbon, climate-resilient society by 2030.

This policy document sets out a detailed strategy to achieve Ireland’s legally binding emissions reduction targets. Let’s put it in a simple way: this is a 51% cut in total greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade.

Sector-Specific Strategies

Electricity: increase renewable energy generation, particularly from wind (onshore and offshore) and solar PV (photovoltaics)

Agriculture: support livestock farmers in diversifying into tillage, organic farming and biomethane production

Industry: decouple economic progress from fossil fuels by electrifying manufacturing, using low-carbon construction materials and adopting zero-emission gas technologies

Transport: reduce reliance on private cars and promote walking, cycling, and public transport

Public sector: achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through energy efficiency measures

Circular economy: promote sustainable consumption and waste reduction

Transitioning Ireland’s economy and society towards a sustainable future will require significant investments and widespread public engagement. The government has committed to mobilizing both public and private capital, but the scale of the investment needed is substantial.

Ireland’s Climate Performance

Progress on Renewables: Wind Energy Leading the Change

One of the bright spots in Ireland’s climate action efforts has been the rapid growth of its renewable energy sector, particularly wind power. The country has emerged as a global leader in wind energy, with installed capacity more than doubling over the past decade to reach over 5 gigawatts in 2022.

Transport and the Built Environment

While Ireland has made impressive strides in decarbonizing its electricity sector, the country has struggled to make similar progress in other important areas, such as transportation and the built environment.

Despite the targets set in CAP23, Ireland’s transportation sector remains heavily reliant on fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Private car ownership and usage remain stubbornly high. The adoption of electric vehicles here has been slower than in many other European countries.

Similarly, the energy efficiency of Ireland’s building environment lags behind the EU average, with a significant portion of homes and commercial buildings in need of complete retrofitting.

Legislation and frameworks driving change at policy level

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act

At the heart of Ireland’s climate action efforts is the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, first enacted in 2015 and updated in 2021. This legislation provides the overall legal framework to guide the country’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

The law provides for the development of a series of five-year carbon budgets, which set binding limits on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed in each budget period. The law also requires the government to publish a Climate Action Plan, like the CAP23 we discussed above.

Carbon Budgets

The introduction of legally binding carbon budgets is a key component of Irish climate policy. These budgets, established by an independent Advisory Council on Climate Change, serve to monitor the country’s progress towards emission reduction targets.

The first three carbon budgets, covering the periods 2021-2025, 2026-2030, and 2031-2035, were approved in 2021 and 2022. They require Ireland to achieve emissions cuts of 4.8%, 8.3%, and 9% respectively during each five-year cycle.

Local Action: Encouraging Communities to Make a Difference

The success of Ireland’s climate action efforts also depends on meaningful engagement and participation at the local level. Therefore, the government has introduced initiatives to empower communities to take ownership of the transition to a sustainable future and combat climate change.

One such program is the Community Climate Actions Work, which is a national programme of engagement on climate action. It enables people and communities across Ireland to be part of the conversation about climate change. This project includes different initiatives ranging from funding and resources for community groups to the establishment of public gardens and green spaces.

• Climate Actions Work

Renewable Energy: Ireland’s Powering Up to combat climate change

Harnessing the wind: Ireland’s success story

As mentioned earlier, the rapid growth of the wind energy sector in Ireland has been one of the main advances in the decarbonisation of electricity supply. Thanks to abundant wind resources, particularly along the country’s exposed Atlantic coastline, Ireland has been able to harness this renewable energy source to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Beyond wind power

While wind energy has certainly been at the heart of Ireland’s renewable electricity ambitions, the government is actively pursuing the development of other clean energy sources to further diversify the country’s energy mix.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, for example, have grown in recent years, with a target of reaching 1.5-2.5 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.

In addition, Ireland is exploring the potential of emerging technologies such as wave and tidal energy, as well as the role of bioenergy and hydrogen in its future energy system.

By diversifying its renewable energy portfolio, the country aims to improve the resilience and reliability of its electricity grid, while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

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Overcoming Barriers to a Clean Energy Future

Despite the impressive progress made in renewable energy, Ireland still faces challenges in its transition to a fully sustainable power sector. But it is not all simple, as there are factors that sometimes obstruct the integration of new wind and solar projects such as grid infrastructure or transmission capacity limitations.

There are also complexities in the planning and authorisation processes for large-scale renewable energy projects, which can sometimes encounter local opposition or environmental concerns.

Ireland on the World Stage: International Agreements and Cooperation

Keep global warming below 1.5°C

Commitments and Obligations: The UN Paris Agreement and EU Targets

As a member of the European Union, Ireland is bound by the climate and energy targets set at EU level, which in turn are based on the country’s international obligations under the UN Paris Agreement.

The EU’s overall goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, with an interim target of at least a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Ireland’s emission reduction targets outlined in the CAP23 are closely aligned with these EU-wide commitments. Ireland intends to contribute its fair share to the collective effort to limit global temperature rise and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

Meeting Targets or Facing Fines: The Cost of Inaction

Failure to meet these required EU targets can have significant financial consequences for Ireland. The EU can impose substantial fines on member states that fail to meet emission reduction targets, taking valuable resources away from other priorities.

Ireland’s Role in Global Climate Diplomacy

Beyond its domestic climate action efforts, Ireland has also tried to play a constructive role in international climate diplomacy.

Globally, Ireland has used its position as a small but influential developed nation to advocate for the interests of vulnerable countries, particularly those in the global South, who are carrying the weight of the climate crisis despite contributing less to the problem.

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Through its engagement in forums such as the UN Climate Change Conferences, Ireland aims to amplify the voices of those most affected and advocate for the provision of climate finance.

What Can You Do? Citizen Action for a Sustainable Ireland

Making Your Voice Heard: Fight Today For A Better Tomorrow

You have the power to combat climate change and shape Ireland’s climate future. Here is how you can make a difference, even if small, it counts:

• Support sustainable businesses: choose to favor businesses committed to sustainability
• Reduce your carbon footprint: make conscious choices to reduce your impact on the environment
• Participate in climate protests: peaceful protests raise awareness and demonstrate public support for climate action
• Sign petitions: petitions can put pressure on people with the power to take action

Collective Action: The Impact of Climate Groups

Many Irish citizens are joining climate groups that work towards environmental goals, whether it’s through tree planting, beach clean-ups, or renewable energy projects. You can join a local group and help to contribute to climate solutions but also build community connections and support.

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Ireland’s Climate Future: Challenges and Opportunities

As Ireland combat climate change, it faces both obstacles and opportunities. The coming years will require coordinated action across all sectors, sustained public support and a shared commitment to the goals of CAP23 and beyond. Remember that it is starting from the small things that you can see the big picture at the end: don’t be lazy and take this issue seriously!