Brian Caulfield: Ireland must speed towards public transport and cycling culture to hit climate targets

As private cars cause highest traffic emissions, we need to prioritise heavy investment in our public transport, cycling and pedestrian infrastructures, writes Brian Caulfield

Given that we are in a climate and biodiversity emergency, a greater impetus is required to deliver high-quality public transport in our cities. File picture: Larry Cummins

The country's latest Energy Balance report, which provides complete information on Ireland’s energy use, was published this week, and the results are not what we want to see.

The Sustainable Energy Authority Of Ireland (SEAI), which produces the report, said that although we have committed to reducing our CO2 emissions by 4.8% per annum from 2021 to 2025 under the first carbon budget, energy-related emissions were instead up 5.4% in 2021.