{"id":26891,"date":"2022-07-27T09:26:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-27T13:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26891"},"modified":"2022-07-27T11:29:32","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T15:29:32","slug":"coalition-fails-to-reach-agreement-on-climate-emissions-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26891","title":{"rendered":"Coalition Fails To Reach Agreement On Climate Emissions Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Wednesday morning, Martin said that the challenge in relation to agriculture is to acknowledge the greater part it will play in the energy sector in the future (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has said \u201cit is not easy\u201d to decide what level of climate emissions targets should be imposed on each sector, after the three coalition leaders\u00a0failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Wednesday morning, Martin said that the challenge in relation to agriculture is to acknowledge the greater part it will play in the energy sector in the future, and \u201cto reconcile the importance of food production system supply with the climate change issue which is undoubtedly there\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo the Government would obviously like to see agreement on this, but there are challenges, it is not easy, but we are determined to get this resolved and suffice to say that all sectors of society and all sectors of our economy including agriculture will have to make that contribution. And then, once we set targets, focus will have to switch on delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one thing to set targets, that\u2019s in some respect a bit easier than realizing the targets over the next number of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019re trying to do here is avoid the worst consequences of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019re not going to avoid climate change now, we can see that with the heatwaves during the summer, but what we can do for future generations and for our children\u2019s children, we can limit those consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat the difficulties reflect in reaching an agreement, they reflect the significance of the challenges. I think it\u2019s important that we get a resolution, but that we do it in a way that facilitates delivery down the road and real momentum in relation to climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miche\u00e1l Martin added that the contribution of agriculture to the energy sector in the future \u201cwill be very significant\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd all of that has to be, in fairness, taken into account, because there tends to be a sense that agriculture isn\u2019t making the same contribution as other sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s making a very significant contribution already, and will into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miche\u00e1l Martin said emissions ceilings will present \u201cchallenges\u201d to transport, energy and agriculture, but that \u201call sectors will have to stretch themselves\u201d as part of tackling climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis Government has set new targets, set a new legislative framework to deal with climate change across all sectors and all sectors will have to stretch themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd the challenges in these ceilings will be very very significant indeed. From transport, to energy, to agriculture. I would have to say in fairness to agriculture, already the targets that have been set are very very challenging, and will be challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019re looking at ways as to how in all sectors, including agriculture, we can stretch those targets and ensure a meaningful contribution all round.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan said that, as science continues to evolve, the urgency and the need to act fast on climate change \u201cgets clearer by the day\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe continue to represent the scientific view, the view that we cannot afford to wait, can\u2019t afford inaction, that\u2019s going to be good for our country to make the moves we need to make,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something we share with our government colleagues, that doesn\u2019t belong to any party or any person, it\u2019s working out the mechanics of it. It\u2019s tricky, but I am hopeful we will get there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cWe need to act fast. We have a national climate dialogue today where we are talking to stakeholders from all sets of sectors in the economy and young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTransport, I think, is more difficult because we have set patterns over 50 years that is going to be hard to change, but agriculture is also difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan said he thinks that the Government can come to an agreement today on greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the agriculture sector.<\/p>\n

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