![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2.33907174.jpg\")
The Government has said that no new non-zero emission cars will be sold in Ireland beyond 2030.<\/p>\nThe Government has said that no new non-zero emission cars will be sold in Ireland beyond 2030.<\/p>\n
In its bid to tackle climate change, a target of having 500,000 electric vehicles on the road in the same year has been set and no NCT will be issued for non-zero emission cars post-2045.<\/p>\n
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton published the 2018 Annual Transition Statement today.<\/p>\n
The statement provides an overview of climate change policy adopted across government to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n
Mr Bruton said the Government aims to make Ireland a \u201cleader\u201d in climate change policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis information will be important as we develop our all of government plan to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile there is much to commend in the past year in terms of progress, we need to do more if we are to achieve our targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Government said it has committed almost \u20ac22bn to climate-related investment in the new National Development Plan.<\/p>\n
Some 22 of 106 committed actions, which cover the five-year period of the National Mitigation Plan, have been completed so far.<\/p>\n
However, political rivals said the Government is not going far enough and accused the policies of being short-sighted.<\/p>\n
\u201cVision is still lacking,\u201d said Sinn Fein\u2019s spokesman on climate action Brian Stanley.<\/p>\n
\u201cOffshore wind, biogas, biomass and solar are resources we can develop.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will take joined-up thinking to utilize these.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, planning reform for offshore projects, alternative crops and practice for agriculture, and a transformation of the transport network, but this Government has not moved in this space yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Government is not thinking of the global problem nor acting locally, nationally developing the wide sources of energy we need and applying clear sectoral targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report comes weeks after Ireland did not sign a letter sent to the European Commission earlier this month by environment ministers from 10 states.<\/p>\n
The letter called on the commission to support a target to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050.<\/p>\n
Signed by ministers from Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, it also called on the commission to propose a more ambitious 2030 target.<\/p>\n