Carbon budgets 'unachievable' due to delays 

The Climate Change Advisory Council said that Ireland failed to meet its 2020 target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under EU sharing rules. It had 'particular concern' about inaction on transport and heat sectors. Picture: Lukas Schulze/Getty Images

Current delays in implementing climate change planning means that Ireland will be unable to meet its future emissions reduction targets, with the so-called 'carbon budgets' rendered unachievable.

That is according to the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), which said that Ireland failed to meet its 2020 target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under the EU sharing rules, and will now have to effectively borrow emissions allowances from other member states to make up its deficit.