Bill aims for 3% annual cut in CO2

INDEPENDENT senators stole a march on the Green Party last night with the introduction of a comprehensive environmental bill that aims to enshrine climate change targets in law.

The provisions of the Climate Protection Bill, tabled by Senator Ivana Bacik, closely mirrors the commitments secured by the Greens before entering government with Fianna Fáil.

According to the bill, there should be a statutory goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 3% per year from 2010, as well as providing for long-term goals of reducing emissions by at least 60% in 2050.