EPA warns of delays in meeting ambitious climate goals

Laura Burke, director-general of the EPA, informed the Citizens' Assembly that Ireland did not meet 2020 EU targets regarding the climate and emissions. Picture: Julien Behal

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned the Citizens' Assembly of a significant gap between climate action planning, and the actual implementation of Ireland’s climate goals.

EPA director-general Laura Burke told the assembly that Ireland had failed to meet its 2020 EU target of a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and that current sectoral climate budgets will not be delivered as they do not add up to the 51% reduction that had been promised by 2030.