Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 57:

In page 11, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(s) the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”.

This amendment concerns the United Nations sustainable development goals, SDGs. It is yet another reminder of the importance of reflecting and incorporating those goals in this Bill. We must show that we are serious when we talk about a different model of development and that we are not simply trying to tag a climate target in alongside a model of development that directly conflicts with the achievement of our climate goals. This amendment would demonstrate that, instead, we want to put our faith in the United Nations SDGs, which have detailed targets and indicators. They provide a meaningful blueprint for a joined-up approach to environmental and equality issues, and one which charts a path towards a form of development in the next ten years which has the potential to save our floundering and burning planet. This may give us the chance for sustainability in the sense of existential survival. Therefore, I am all for the UN SDGs going into the Bill. The Government should be as well. If this amendment is not accepted today, I will reintroduce it on Report Stage.

Amendment No. 28 refers to the Aarhus Convention. This convention is law already, but we must have a reminder of it when we are having regard to policies on climate. Let us be very clear that an erosion is under way regarding access to environmental decision-making and participation. Ireland is going to face judgment by the Aarhus committee in the autumn. I do not think we are on track to do well. I have seen a number of points of erosion in this regard in the year since this Government came into office, from forestry appeals right through to the removal of the checks and balances between housing, planning and heritage which used to exist for Natura 2000 sites. This is vitally important because of the constant sword-waving about judicial reviews. An Bord Pleanála is losing 98% of cases because it is making terrible decisions that have not been thought out.

It is in that context that I mention the Aarhus Convention. I am conscious that it is already legislated for and we should not have to put it into this Bill. It should not need to be mentioned in the Bill. It is absolutely vital that the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the entire Government are cognisant of the Aarhus Convention in the approach they take to the various functions, measures, plans, strategies and sectoral approaches set out in this Bill. This again comes back to the SDGs and a joined-up approach being very important. We cannot, for example, decide not to consider environmental factors on the basis that we are rushing a policy on energy.

Amendment No. 29 relates to the point I made on the life-cycle effect and ensuring we at least consider consumption as well as production emissions. Consumption emissions may not be factored in as part of our 51% target, but we must be thinking about them because, ultimately, we are sharing one planet. Emissions from what is produced in one place and consumed in another enter the same atmosphere. For that reason, I urge that in our approach we try to find a way to at least think about a fuller picture of emissions.