Green-tinged government delivers just one shade — green light
As promised under the Programme for Government, a carbon report was issued by the Minister for Finance, in which he revealed the country is emitting 70 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Mr Cowen said he intended reducing that figure to an annual average of 63m tonnes between 2008 and 2012.
Environment Minister John Gormley is due to give details on the country’s progress in meeting Kyoto protocol targets in his department briefing today.
Yesterday he revealed the long-awaited carbon tax, which would see the taxing of fossil fuels, will be examined by the Commission on Taxation, due to be established shortly.
“There is growing and incontrovertible evidence of the challenge to us all posed by global warming. That is why we must act now. That action will require changes in the lifestyles we all lead and the choices we make on whether to consume or conserve resources. This should not be seen as a defensive strategy but as a forward-looking, pro-active response to this challenge,” he said.
Budget 2008 revealed energy conservation is to be funded by a €5m pilot project looking at improving housing insulation.
And, in order to deliver on the objectives of the White Paper on Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future 2007-2020, up to €8.5 billion will be spent on the energy programme of the National Development Plan (NDP) with €7bn coming from the state energy companies through modernised power projects and wind power.
A €7m increase in energy research was also announced, and €13.2m for renewable energy projects. Mr Cowen said renewable energy was an area where the country could make a very significant contribution if the research was successful. “If the research looks promising, I will consider making considerably more resources available in future years,” he said.
He also announced a VAT reduction on seeds and bulbs used for biofuels and the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) is to be altered so recycling companies can better avail of it. New incentives are to be developed for business to support the installation of energy efficient equipment — with 100% grants available.
Overall, the Department of the Environment got a 13% increase in funding bringing its total budget to €3.1bn. The Environmental Protection Agency is to receive a 43% increase in funding to fund new staff to enforce water quality levels. The National Parks and Wildlife sector’s budget increased by 15%.
Green leader John Gormley said the budget was first budget in the State’s history to contain a “strong green dimension”.
“Budget 2008 shows that the Green Party can deliver in government in cooperation with their coalition partners. It is a very good start — and one we intend to build upon during the coming four and a half years,” he said.
Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton slammed the Government’s environmental record saying “a couple of Green ministers do not a green government make”.
“This Government is proposing to waste €50m of taxpayers money in 2008 to pay fines to the EU Commission because Ireland is above its emissions targets.
“In addition, we are paying higher electricity prices to the ESB so that it can buy emissions allowances because it is planning to emit much more CO2 than the allowance that it was given in the emissions trading scheme,” she said.
