On the 23rd March 2021 the Irish Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill. This proactive and ambitious piece of legislation will
“provide for the approval of plans by the Government in relation to climate change for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by no later than the end of the year 2050 and to there by promote climate justice.” (Source: Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021)
This means that the Government is putting into law a real commitment to transform Ireland into a Net Zero Carbon Emissions Economy over the next three decades.
This includes:
-Committing Ireland to 51% reduction in carbon emissions over next decade (2018-2030) equating to a 7% yearly reduction.
-An Annually revised Climate Action Plan
-A series of 5 year economy wide carbon budgets, including sectoral targets for each relevant sector.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD had this to say about the new Bill:
“The Climate Action bill is a radical departure for Ireland and one that puts our country on a new course. It creates a new target to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, which will change our economy and society at every level. We will change how we heat our homes, generate power, move around our country, grow our food and run our businesses. It sends a clear signal to every sector that it must reshape its activities to reduce emissions . . . Our young people have told us it is time to act and today we are answering that challenge, by putting our commitments into law.”
EcoMerit welcomes this legislation and its proactive approach to decarbonising our economy and bringing about positive change for Irish businesses, organisations and ordinary citizens. We have been working to help Irish companies achieve this type of progress since 2009. Over the last decade our members have developed and executed Action Plans of their own to improve environmental performance, save on costs and attain environmental certification.
On average EcoMerit certified sites achieve a 9.2% yearly reduction in energy carbon emissions (see Performance). This puts the performance of our certified sites well on track to surpass the 7% yearly reductions in this Bill. And the really good news is that our members saved substantial amounts of money in the process.
We look forward to continuing this important work with the support of this new Bill. We are excited to help our existing and new members meet the demands of the new Carbon Budgets and sectoral targets and help put Ireland at the forefront of Climate Action and forward thinking Sustainable Economies worldwide.
See here the benefits that EcoMerit can offer your business.
