| ClientEarth comments on the Irish Climate Change Response Bill 2010 |
|
20 January 2011 | Press release Leading EU environmental law organisation ClientEarth has just completed a legal and policy review of the Irish Climate Change Response Bill debated in the Seanad. The Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture has called for the Bill to be put on hold.James Thornton, ClientEarth CEO, said: “The Irish Climate Change Response Bill should be strengthened and speedily enacted. It needs to be amended because it would be a shame for Ireland to lose this opportunity to pass legislation helping it be more competitive in markets for future technologies and will help to protect Ireland’s environment for future generations. “Given that the 2020 target is essentially equal to the level of ambition required of Ireland under EU law, we consider that claims that this Bill will result in huge costs for Ireland are unfounded. Also, it in no way follows that Ireland would have to reduce its livestock numbers in order for these targets to be met. This is scaremongering that does not align with the legal effect of the Bill – which establishes economy wide targets only, with complete flexibility as to how the government chooses to meet them. The Bill also allows carbon sinks on agricultural lands to count towards offsetting Ireland’s emissions. “It would be a great shame to slow down on Ireland’s transition to a low carbon economy. If the opportunity to pass this legislation is missed, Ireland risks committing itself to a high carbon infrastructure, and could see its assets increasingly stranded. Now is the time to act on climate change, so it is important that this Bill is done right.” Click here to read ClientEarth’s consultation response. ENDS Media contact: ClientEarth’s lawyers have expertise in the design of climate legislation. Recent aspects of our Climate and Energy work programme have included advice and drafting assistance to the Australian Green Senators regarding the proposed Australian climate legislation of 2009, general assistance securing the EU package of climate and energy laws 2009, and an independent legal review of the UK Climate Change 2008, containing lessons for the development of national climate change laws. |
