Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

COP28: Discussion

Photo of Brian LeddinBrian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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That is a very good point.

We have time if members want to ask further questions. I want to home in on aviation and maritime emissions a little. We hope to get good news in the next week or two from the COP and international agreement in that area. Ireland has indicated it wants to make progress there. The politics of this are really important because from an economic justice or equity point of view, private jets and superyachts need to be targeted. However, from an absolute emissions point of view, doing only that would be purely symbolic and would not achieve the cuts in emissions needed. Notwithstanding the lack of data, which has been alluded to, there is enough data to show that in absolute numbers not many private jets or superyachts come to Ireland compared to regular scheduled flights and shipping movements. To make a difference, if we are to tax emissions in that area, it is not just about the super-wealthy people, but about aviation and maritime transport generally. There is a political risk we focus on the super-wealthy and do not look at the sector more broadly. If we do not do the latter then it is just going to be pure tokenism. Is that fair?