Deirdre O Meara 
Irish Government Announces a €7 Billion Plan to Tackle Climate Change
The Irish government has recently announced a new plan to tackle climate change, which has been welcomed by environmentalists across the country. The plan, which is set to cost €7 billion, aims to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions by 51% by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The plan, known as the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, will require all sectors of the economy to reduce their emissions, including transport, agriculture, and energy. The government has also committed to investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as supporting the development of electric vehicles and public transport.
The plan has been praised by environmental groups, who have long been calling for more action on climate change in Ireland. However, some critics have argued that the plan does not go far enough, and that more needs to be done to address the root causes of climate change.
One of the key measures in the plan is the introduction of a carbon tax, which will increase from €26 per tonne to €80 per tonne by 2030. This is designed to encourage businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon emissions, and to incentivise the development of low-carbon technologies.
The government has also committed to phasing out the use of peat and coal for electricity generation by 2027, and to increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. The plan also includes measures to encourage the development of green hydrogen, which can be used as a fuel for transport and industry.
Another key aspect of the plan is the establishment of a new Climate Action Council, which will be responsible for monitoring Ireland’s progress towards its emissions targets and advising the government on climate policy. The council will be made up of experts from a range of fields, including climate science, economics, and social policy.
The plan has been broadly welcomed by business groups, who have called for more clarity on how the government intends to support the transition to a low-carbon economy. Some have also called for more investment in research and development of new technologies, such as carbon capture and storage.
Overall, the government’s new climate plan represents a significant step forward in Ireland’s efforts to tackle climate change. However, there is still much work to be done, and it will be important for the government to continue to engage with stakeholders and to listen to feedback from the public as it implements its policies.
