Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed)

Dr. Simon Berrow:

Ms McMahon is correct that the narrative has changed. People are demanding it now. They want circumstances to change and need to see some positive things happening, and Covid has made that even more the case. Perhaps the inertia stems somewhat from vested interests. Our challenge relates to how the Government should give power and responsibility to those who are most affected. Can we give them the mechanisms to take responsibility and manage their local patches, as Mr. Kavanagh was saying? It is something the Government can do and I implore it to go down that road.