Another climate target missed: Worst in Europe

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, infuriated Brexiteers when he suggested there was a “special place in hell” for those who pushed for Brexit “without even a sketch of a plan”.

It seems reasonable to suggest that the person who looks after those bookings has a place reserved for rich countries still shirking the choices needed to try to avert climate catastrophe — even if we are one of those deviant countries.

Yesterday’s report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland shows just how deviant we are. Ireland was ranked 26th out of 28 EU countries when progress towards achieving renewable energy targets was reviewed.

Last year, 30% of our electricity was generated from renewables, largely due to increased generation from wind, which accounted for 84% of all renewable electricity.

We will not, however, meet agreed targets. Energy Minister Richard Bruton said:“It is clear that we need to step up our ambition.”

This has been the case for over a decade but little enough changes. It is unlikely that we’ll get along, in that special place, with Brextremists, but we better prepare.