Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As we speak, the clock is ticking at a vitally important decision-making time for the existential crisis facing our planet - the climate catastrophe. Má fhanann cúrsaí mar atá, deir na Náisiúin Aontaithe gur téamh 3°C atá i ndán dúinn, a bheadh ina thubaiste aeráide.

We know that as we near the end of the hottest year on record, it is vital we see a strong agreement coming out of COP28. It is appalling to see that the conference is still running on as we speak due to the failure to reach an agreement, a failure that appears to have resulted from the sabotage of a stronger draft wording which has clearly been corrupted and scuttled by oil barons and petrostates. This is deeply concerning because we all know it is not enough merely to reduce our consumption of dirty fossil fuels. We must phase them out altogether. While events like COP are important, we need to be judged by our actions and not just our words.

As Dr. Cara Augustenborg points out in The Irish Timestoday, Ireland is relatively well placed to make the transition on climate compared with other countries. We are not reliant on oil or coal exports, and while no one would argue that the transition away from fossil fuels will be easy, nonetheless, relative to other countries, it should be easier for us. Yet, we have slipped again in the world rankings for climate protection by six places to 43rd out of 63 countries. It seems the Government is not yet up to the challenge. Despite the fine aspirations, we see missed targets and serious delays in meeting the necessary reductions. All of us are doing our best on this but oil, gas, and other big corporates continue to damage and destroy our environment. Their business models are fuelling weather disasters and poisoning our air, land and water. Society is bearing the brunt of increasingly erratic weather events. All of us are thinking of the community in Leitrim village hit by a tornado on Sunday, which is now picking up the pieces.

The challenge is urgent but, all too often, there is a perception that the onus of change and of picking up the pieces are left to individuals and local communities, with big businesses getting off scot-free. We need to hold companies to account. Not only do we need to meet our legally binding targets for the sake of the planet, but by doing so we are improving our lives and communities. We know we need to address the health implications of fossil fuels too. We have the highest asthma diagnosis rates in Europe and dirty air has been linked to premature deaths across our urban centres. So much of this is driven by fossil fuel consumption.

Will the Government support a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels? Will it oppose what it seems is a plan for the next COP to be held in another petrostate? Will the Government take the necessary action at home to meet our emissions reduction targets? Will it introduce the Labour Party's €9 per month climate ticket to help support a move away from fossil fuel transport? Will it further incentivise cycling and active travel infrastructure to give our climate targets meaning?

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