EPA calls for action on climate change

The Irish Times

TIM O'BRIEN

LOWER GREENHOUSE gas emissions due to the recession should not be confused with responsible management of the environment, the director general of the Environmental Protection Agency, Laura Burke, has warned.

Commenting on the agency's latest four-year State of the Environment report published yesterday, Ms Burke said Ireland's environment was "generally good".

But she warned the State faced "tough challenges" in meeting a range of EU directives and 2020 emissions targets, including those relating to water, waste, air quality and greenhouse gases.

The report called on the Government to show leadership, arguing that action on the environment was "imperative".

In addition to what it calls "a snapshot of the state of Ireland's environment in 2012", the report provides a detailed commentary on policy implementation.

It notes that levels of emissions to air and waste generation have paused due to the economic recession.

But while Ireland is therefore on track to meet its Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction targets for the 2008-2012 period, meeting the 2020 targets "presents real challenges for the country". These latter targets will very likely be exceeded as early as 2017, according to the report.

The report says Ireland needs to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and increase the use of alternative energy sources, such as wind and biomass.

In relation to implementation of EU directives, it noted that in 2010 Ireland had 32 infringement proceedings outstanding. While this number has now more than halved, there remained 14 cases open at the end of March this year. The section concludes that there is a need "for a strong culture of compliance with environmental legislation so that those who flout environmental laws are made to pay for their actions".

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