More sustainable approach to green economy needed

IRELAND must impose a more sustainable approach to “green economy” plans if the country is to adequately address the financial crisis and the “early warnings of potentially catastrophic climate change”, it has been claimed.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s annual report for 2008, released today, has warned that despite recent improvements in putting green issues on the agenda the “significant economic opportunities” for 0the country are still under threat from more immediate financial concerns.

According to the EPA document, while the start of 2008 showed no indication of the depth of the downturn, the resultant months have thrown the country into financial turmoil.