Ireland emitted 61 million tons of greenhouse gases in 2022 which is only a slight decline from the previous year. This figure does not even include emissions from international aviation.
We are well off course to reach our targets. To stay within carbon budgets, Ireland would have to cut its emissions by 12.4% for each of the following three years. We have come nowhere near this type of cut.
The climate crisis worldwide is spiralling out of control. The Cerberus heatwave is causing unbelievable temperatures in Europe, and we are seeing untold destruction in the global south due to extreme weather events. Yet still with Ireland’s emissions continue to remain high under this government.
Ireland is still a laggard even though we have the Greens in government. Minister Ryan has refused to ban the proliferation of data centres; has scuppered a bill to ban new fossil fuel drilling licences; and failed to curb Ireland’s emissions.
The Greens continued hope in market mechanisms and business as usual is leading us to disaster – here and globally. We need to move away from market-based mechanisms.
The global extremes we are seeing are a harbinger of what’s to come and what will be the new normal. Only mass movements and actions can force the radical and far-reaching changes we need to change course now.
