Dublin, Ireland – The Irish government has announced a new plan to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030. The plan, titled “Climate Action Plan 2021,” outlines a range of measures, including the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars, the expansion of renewable energy sources, and the retrofitting of homes and buildings to make them more energy-efficient.
The plan comes as Ireland faces increasing pressure to take action on climate change, with the country currently lagging behind its European counterparts in terms of reducing emissions. The government has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, but critics argue that more needs to be done to achieve this goal.
One of the key measures outlined in the plan is the phasing out of petrol and diesel cars. The government aims to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with all new cars sold after that date required to be electric or hybrid. The plan also includes measures to increase the number of charging points for electric vehicles and to promote the use of public transport.
Another significant part of the plan is the expansion of renewable energy sources. The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 70% by 2030, up from the current level of around 40%. This will involve the development of new wind and solar projects, as well as the expansion of offshore wind farms.
The plan also includes measures to retrofit homes and buildings to make them more energy-efficient. This will involve upgrading insulation, heating systems, and windows, as well as promoting the use of renewable heating systems such as heat pumps. The government aims to retrofit 500,000 homes by 2030, with a focus on low-income households.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 has been welcomed by environmental groups, who have long been calling for more ambitious action on climate change. However, some critics have raised concerns about the cost of implementing the plan, as well as the potential impact on jobs in industries such as oil and gas.
In response, the government has said that the plan will create new jobs in areas such as renewable energy and energy efficiency, and that it will work with affected industries to ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy. The plan also includes measures to support workers in affected industries, such as retraining and upskilling programs.
Overall, the Climate Action Plan 2021 represents a significant step forward for Ireland in terms of tackling climate change. However, the government will need to ensure that the plan is implemented effectively and that it delivers the desired results in terms of reducing emissions and promoting a sustainable, low-carbon economy.
