• The Climate Change Advisory Council’s proposed Carbon Budgets to 2040 set out overall indicative emission reductions of 67%. This requires an annual reduction of at least 6.3% on average year on year to 2040.

• The response required will see the most significant change since the foundation of the State.

• A crucial step is to phase out harmful fossil fuels as early as 2039.

• This presents a transformational opportunity to achieve a sustainable society with improved health and well-being for all citizens.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said Ireland has not risen to meet its climate change challenges and is currently set to miss its agreed carbon budget to 20301. An urgent response to the crisis is required, which will see the most significant change since the foundation of the State.

Today the Council published its final proposed Carbon Budget 3 (2031-2035) and the provisional Carbon Budget 4 (2036-2040)2, setting out indicative emission reductions of 67%. An annual reduction of at least 6.3% on average year on year to 2040 is required to remain within the carbon budget.

If we do not act the Council has said that there will be profound costs to the Irish economy and to the people of Ireland.

The stark warning comes as the impact of climate change throughout Ireland continues to rise with increased flooding, droughts and coastal damage, which is already having significant and costly consequences for people, communities and nature.

Recognising that the transition will be highly disruptive, the Council has said that strong political leadership is required, now, by making the necessary investment, taxation and policy decisions to help Ireland capitalise on the transformational opportunity that a climate neutral society presents.

Commenting on the announcement, Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council said, “The Carbon Budgets proposed by Council set out a challenging but necessary pathway for Ireland to achieve a climate-neutral and biodiversity rich society before 2050, where Ireland no longer contributes to the increase in global temperatures.

“While the transition will bring significant political and social challenges, it presents us with an opportunity to achieve a more sustainable society, a cleaner environment with improved health and well-being for all of our citizens.

“A crucial step to help achieve this is for Government to prioritise investment and resources, now, by phasing out harmful fossil fuels as early as 2039 and saving people and businesses money. This will help Ireland avoid future fines and compliance costs, provide the opportunity to deliver energy independence, reduce costs and help to maintain our competitive economy in a low carbon world, while building greater resilience to the impacts of climate change. “

The process of change must be managed carefully and in a way which ensures that potential impacts on people, communities and nature are properly addressed. Mobilising financial supports, quickly, will help people and households, in both urban and rural communities, as well as the most impacted sectors, take action at the speed and scale required.

“We also need to see the upskilling of people and businesses for new technologies and practices, while reskilling those sectors that are most impacted.

Professor Peter Thorne, Council Member, noted “The Council has considered the most recent scientific evidence and determined pathways consistent with the National Climate Objective as the basis for the proposed carbon budgets from 2031 to 2040.

The Council’s Carbon Budget proposal does not take account of any exceedance in emissions that may occur between now and 2030. If emissions exceed the agreed carbon budget, then the exceedance must be deducted from the next carbon budget”3.

The Chair concluded; “To deliver an equitable and just transition we need inclusive decision-making and engagement with stakeholders, with lead Government departments, state agencies, semi-state companies and local authorities fully aligned with the achievement of the National Climate Objective.”