Green groups hail Gormley climate comments

Environmental groups today welcomed comments by John Gormley in which the Green Party leader said he would demand a climate change law as part of the upcoming review of the Greens' Programme for Government with Fianna Fáil.

Responding to a report in the Sunday Business Post, the Environment Minister told RTÉ today that climate change legislation was "necessary" to keep Ireland on the trajectory to a low carbon economy.

Commenting on the development Friends of the Earth director, Oisín Coghlan, said: "We warmly welcome the Green Party getting serious about achieving a climate change law.

"A strong law will hardwire action and accountability on climate change into the political system. It is key to a low-carbon recovery that is economically and environmentally sustainable."

"A climate change law will be a significant signal of intent to deliver on Ireland's climate change commitments," said a statement from Stop Climate Chaos, a coalition of organisations campaigning to stop climate change.

"We warmly welcome the Green Party's initiative," said Colin Roche of Oxfam, a spokesperson for the coalition.

"It should mark a new drive to stop climate chaos, by the Government, coinciding with the global climate talks due to conclude this December in Copenhagen."