Climate Action Plan will require radical transformation of Irish economy and society

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, today welcomed the publication of the Government’s revised Climate Action Plan. The target for a 51% reduction in economywide greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to a 2018 baseline, represents a substantial increase in ambition compared to the 2019 Action Plan.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said “Given the strenuous efforts currently being made by EU negotiators at COP26 in Glasgow, this is a timely signal of Ireland’s willingness to meet its commitments under the European Green Deal and the emerging FitFor55 legislative package. Indeed, it appears to go beyond the obligations that the European Commission is likely to mandate for Ireland over the period and can position Ireland as a world leader in terms of its transformation to both a sustainable business model and society.”

“Given the huge scale of investment that will be required, along with radical changes in individual and organisational behaviour, it will be necessary for Government to engage actively with all elements of civil society to ensure buy-in. The plan will have significant implications for businesses in all sectors of the economy which will need to understand further the implications of the targets and how the initiatives will be financed.”