Clare’s Green Party Senator insists the transition to a carbon neutral economy will be done in a way that’s fair to everybody.
It comes as the party says it wants more to be done to make sure Ireland meets its climate change obligations following a groundbreaking UN report that was released yesterday.
The Government has commtted to reaching a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
That target may well be accelerated following the publication from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which says human activity is causing extreme weather events such as heatwaves, heavy rainfall and drought.
It’s understood the government’s Climate Action Plan, which will state how these targets will be achieved, is to be published shortly, possibly before the end of the month.
Clare’s Green Party Oireachtas representative says this will be done in a way that’s fair to everyone.
Inagh-based Senator Roisin Garvey believes a low carbon economy could revive towns and villages in this county and elsewhere.
Senator Garvey’s party leader, Minister Eamon Ryan, has said farmers will be considered the ‘frontline’ of climate response.
A Clare-based climate activist believes some agricultural workers are looking for a ‘way out’ of the industry.
Theresa O’Donohoe of the Clare Environmental Network wants the State to step in and assist these farmers financially.
Closer to home, concerns are being raised about the potential impact of a €1.2 billion project on Ennis’ Tulla Road, currently going through the planning process, may have on the environment.
Art Data Centres, which is responsible for the works, says in its Environmental Impact Assessment Report to the local authority it will utilise external air, rainwater collection and solar panels among other measures to mitigate the project’s impact.
Emanuela Ferrari of climate action group Futureproof Clare says despite the over 1,400 jobs that could be created if the project goes ahead, an alternative solution is needed.
