Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 6, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:“Setting annual targets

5. (1) The Minister shall, by order, set the annual targets for each year in the periods mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (g) of subsection (2).

(2) The Minister shall set the annual targets for each year—

(a) in the period 2015-2022, no later than 31 October 2015,

(b) in the period 2023-2027, no later than 31 October 2020,

(c) in the period 2028-2032, no later than 31 October 2024,

(d) in the period 2033-2037, no later than 31 October 2028,

(e) in the period 2038-2042, no later than 31 October 2033,

(f) in the period 2043-2047, no later than 31 October 2038,

(g) in the period 2048-2050, no later than 31 October 2042.

(3) The Minister shall, when setting annual targets, have regard to any advice they receive from the relevant body as to the cumulative amount of net emissions for the period 2015-2050 that is consistent with a reduction over that period of net emissions accounts which would allow the 2050 target to be met.

(4) The Minister shall, when setting annual targets, also have regard to the following matters (the “target-setting criteria”)—

(a) the objective of not exceeding the fair and safe emissions budget,

(b) scientific knowledge about climate change,

(c) technology relevant to climate change,

(d) economic circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on—

(i) the economy,

(ii) the competitiveness of particular sectors of the Irish economy,

(iii) small and medium-sized enterprises,

(iv) jobs and employment opportunities,

(e) fiscal circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on taxation, public spending and public borrowing,

(f) social circumstances, in particular the likely impact of the target on those living in poorer or deprived communities,

(g) the likely impact of the target on those living in remote rural communities and island communities,

(h) energy policy, in particular the likely impact of the target on energy supplies, the renewable energy sector and the carbon and energy intensity of the economy,

(i) environmental considerations and, in particular, the likely impact of the targets on biodiversity,

(j) European and international law and policy relating to climate change.

(5) If annual targets for a period are not set by the corresponding date mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (g) of subsection (2), the Minister shall set the annual targets as soon as reasonably practicable afterwards.

(6) In this Act, the “fair and safe emissions budget” is the aggregate amount of net emissions for the period 2015-2050 recommended by the relevant body as being consistent with contributing appropriately to stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.”.

The amendment relates to target setting which is at the heart of many of the amendments. We need to move beyond aspirations to specific, concrete and binding targets if we are to seriously address runaway climate change.

The discussion was had to a significant extent on Second Stage and I am sure the Minister is well aware of the arguments that are being put forward, not just by Deputies here but also by just about every credible environmental NGO and scientist who takes seriously the issue of climate change and the disastrous consequences that are likely to ensue if we do not address it. The concern is that this Bill is long on tokenistic aspiration and very short on concrete measures and targets that are binding and that will force real action for dealing with climate change. That is the point and nothing I have heard from the Government side in the debate on Second Stage or to date adequately explains why the Department will not buy into targets. I think I speak for the majority of environmental NGOs when I say that such targets are imperative. I await the Minister's response to see if he has developed his arguments any further but we do not think that anything less than serious targets can address the issue.