11 May 2021
Ireland’s climate targets appear out of reach despite the impact of Covid-19 on lowering emissions, according to the OECD.
The 10-year review of
Ireland’s environmental record revealed that Ireland has one of the highest
rates of greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the OECD and in Europe.
Agriculture accounts
for more than one-third of emissions and the transport sector is the second
largest emissions source for the country.
The environmental
performance review found that Ireland must continue to take positive steps in
reducing environmental damage from transport, as mobility patterns and trends
are a source of increasing environmental pressures.
It detailed that the
country heavily relies on fossil fuels for electricity generation and
residential heating and noted that additional efforts need to be taken to meet
Sustainable Development Goals in relation to climate, energy, water and
biodiversity.
According to the
review, Irelands efforts to adapt to climate change have significantly
intensified, as the country’s economic losses due to extreme climate-related
events were among the highest in the European Union.
The OECD recommended
that Ireland’s National Adaption Framework in 2018 should be “reviewed in line
with the national climate risk assessment released by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy in
2020.”
Despite Ireland’s
strengthened biodiversity policy framework, most habitats remain in
unfavourable conditions due to pressures from agriculture, resource
extradition, and infrastructure development.
However, the
government’s pledge to protect 30 per cent of Ireland’s marine waters by 2030,
compared to the current 2 per cent, as well as the national marine planning framework,
was noted as a welcome move in restoring biodiversity in Ireland.
Despite the
intention, little progress has been made
in extending the protected area network and the report recommends that Ireland
develop and adopt the marine spatial planning framework as soon as possible to
bring clarity to the development of the ocean’s economy and the sustainable use
of marine biodiversity.
The OECD review also
recommended that the response to the Covid-19 pandemic should be an opportunity
to help make the economy “greener and more inclusive”, as swift action is needed
to avoid a rebound of environmental pressures.
Public spending in
Ireland on the environment, climate-related research and development is among
the lowest in the OECD.
By Shauna Burdis
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