Campaign groups welcome Environment Minister's commitment to climate bill next year

Phil Hogan's pledge to send Heads of Bill to the Oireachtas committee is "a good step forward."

As the Cabinet Committee on climate change meets today to review progress in 2011, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam and Trocaire have welcomed modest progress in 2011 and are calling for more urgent action next year. Progress this year includes; the commitment to publishing a draft climate bill next year, another installment of Ireland's climate finance commitment and statements that Ireland supports a "justice approach" to tackling climate change.

Commenting Sorley McCaughey of Christian Aid said
"Minister Hogan's announcement that he will send Heads of a Climate Bill to the Oireachtas Committee is a good step forward. We urge him to take stronger action next year. He can get the Heads of Bill to the committee early in the year and be passing strong environmental legislation as Ireland assumes the presidency of the EU in 2013."

Cliona Sharkey of Trocaire commented
"There is a real need for political leadership in the wake of Durban's failure to deliver adequately. Current pledges leave the world on the path to a devastating 3 to 4C of global warming. Ireland has an opportunity to show that leadership "

Molly Walsh of Friends of the Earth added
"We appreciate the Government's endorsement in recent months of a climate justice agenda, and acknowledgement of climate change as a human rights issue. Pursuing action on climate legislation and climate finance will be critical steps to turn rhetorical commitment to climate justice into concrete political leadership. The post-Durban reality calls more than ever for those committed to a climate justice to take urgent action."

ENDS

Notes
1. A press release from the Oireachtas Environment Committee welcoming Minister Hogan's announcement is here http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/mediazone/pressreleases/title-3138-en.html

2. An Irish Times article covering the issue is here http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1217/1224309215700.html

3. Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, and Trocaire work together on Climate change as the Irish Climate Justice Group.