Increasing carbon taxes will have a strong role to play in responding to climate change and we need to set a trajectory for raising carbon taxes between now and 2030, according to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton.
In a speech delivered last week by the recently-appointed minister, it was outlined that Ireland is “far off-course” to achieve the CO2 targets which it has committed to.
Minister Bruton said: “I want to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, not a follower, and that will require a significant step change across the Government.
“Being a leader means acting now, stretching ourselves and seizing the enterprise opportunities in a low-carbon economy, including the new circular and bioeconomies.
“Being a follower means the final costs of adjustment are much higher and opportunities much lower or completely lost,” he added.
It will require a revolution in how we live. Every person, every community, every business, every home and every school will have to make changes in the way we live, work and learn.
The minister believes that this is the minimum required if Ireland is to make the changes that are needed to create a “sustainable future for everyone”.
“Given the scale of the challenge, there is a need for a growing political consensus on this.”
Decarbonisation
Bruton outlined that the National Mitigation Plan was an initial first step to decarbonisation but acknowledged that, by its own admission, it was not a complete road map.
“I will lead on the development of Government’s plan which will set out the actions that must be taken in every government department and body.
“I will be seeking to work with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport, heat, as well as a range of other sectors.
The focus will be on implementation. We will identify actions with clear timelines and the steps needed to get there.
“This requires a clear mandate to integrate the demands of climate action into the decision making of all regulatory systems and programme evaluation across Government.”
Bruton outlined: “Project Ireland 2040, and the 10-year National Development Plan which underpins it, is the first time an Irish Government has ever attempted to ensure that future growth is compact, connected, regionally balanced and sustainable.”
High-carbon living patterns
Bruton said that new private or public investments being made which locks us in to high-carbon patterns of living must be discouraged.
Bruton acknowledged that innovation can be a very powerful tool in tackling intractable problems.
- Climate Action Fund (€500 million) is inviting applications in a competitive process from projects generating significant CO2 reduction in innovative and cost-effective ways capable of being scaled up;
- Disruptive Technology Fund (€500 million) is inviting applications in a competitive process from projects collaborative enterprise driven partnerships which will develop, deploy and commercialise disruptive technologies in areas where Ireland can establish a competitive advantage including smart and sustainable food production and processing while decarbonising the energy system.
Bruton concluded: “I believe that the time is right now for the type of deliberate and determined action to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change.”