Cutting carbon emissions: Must do more

Environment Minister Richard Bruton warned yesterday that Irish business has not broken the link between economic prosperity and greenhouse gas emissions.

He was speaking at an event with Business Minister Heather Humphreys where they outlined plans to reduce emissions from industry.

His announcement came a day after a European study warned that Ireland faces increasingly severe flooding which will be caused by climate change.

Mr Bruton is undoubtedly sincere but it is increasingly difficult not to argue that the Government is not running with the hare and hunting with the hounds on this issue.

Just days ago, a €100m lifeline was thrown to beef farmers — the IFA demands more — despite huge emissions. Public transport’s out-of-date reliance on diesel is another indicator that we have yet to walk the walk on these issues.

They present huge challenges for politicians as they demand huge change.

Unfortunately we need to do much more and do it much more quickly. Talk about 1m electric cars in 2030 is fine but something far more immediate is necessary.