Paul Hosford: Will successive governments have the nerve to stick with climate targets?

At least two general elections will pass in the lifetime of the Climate Action Plan – will those in power see it through, or drop it in search of votes?

Ireland faces the challenge of firing dirty fossil fuel plants to keep the lights on even as Cap21 calls for a reduction in electricity emissions of between 62% and 81% by 2030. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Another day, another fine document.

After a few weeks of waiting in anticipation, the Government has unveiled how it believes Ireland can reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. Or, rather, it has unveiled a broad series of sectoral expectations and actions which will undoubtedly be the subject of intense argument and discussion in the coming weeks.