Expert Report Ranks Ireland Worst Country In Europe On Climate Change
The 2018 Climate Change Performance Index highlights Ireland as being the worst performing country in Europe for action on climate change. The Index, produced annually on the basis of joint analysis by two leading European think-tanks, places Ireland 49th out of 59 countries, a drop of 28 places from last year.
Jerry Mac Evilly, Policy Coordinator for the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, commented:
“The expert report lays bare the continuing and disturbing contradiction between Government rhetoric on climate change and the sad reality of policy implementation in Ireland.
Ireland’s polluting emissions are rising, the state is failing to meet EU obligations, the Government is not supporting greater EU ambition and, despite some positive noises, there is little indication that this situation is likely to change any time soon. This hypocrisy on climate change not only has significant reputational damage for Ireland but brings with it extremely negative impacts for our economy, our local environment and our health.”
Dr. Cara Augustenborg, Head of Science and Communications at Friends of the Earth Ireland, stated:
“Just last week the Citizens’ Assembly put forward 13 concrete recommendations for climate action to allow Ireland to catch up with our European neighbours and end nearly a decade of dithering and delay. Yet at national level, we’ve seen a new climate action plan which does not guarantee any immediate reductions in pollution. And at EU level, we’ve seen repeated Government efforts to have loopholes inserted into EU legislation currently under negotiation which would hinder greater climate action.”
The Climate Change Performance Index 2018 confirms that greater efforts have been made globally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and highlights positive developments regarding renewables and energy efficiency. However, it is noted that progress is still not in line with Paris Agreement commitments and that all countries must deliver much stronger policies to reduce polluting emissions. Sweden, Morocco, Norway lead the ranking. In light of the retrograde steps taken by the Trump Administration, the USA are placed in 56th position but the report points to positive actions taken by US towns, states and companies.