Ireland has some of the highest carbon emissions in the world if measured by the head of population.
But, despite government propaganda, the main culprits are not ordinary people but large corporations.
Ryanair, ESB, Irish Cement, Aer Lingus, Dairygold, Glanbia, Bord na Móna, and Pfizer are among the 100 factories, power plants, and airlines that spew out 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
That is more than a third of all Irish emissions.
Take for example Dairygold. Its plant in Mitchelstown emits more CO2 than the population of the town.
Most of the big Irish corporations were awarded free carbon pollution credits by the EU Emission Trading System.
So instead of attacking the ‘bad behavior’ of individuals who have little choice, we should be going after the big corporations.
