THE legislation for climate action has been passed by the dail marking Ireland’s next step towards carbon neutrality.
Ireland’s goal to emit halves it’s current output of carbon emissions in a nine year window.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 was passed with support from all parties and will set Ireland on the course to eliminate greenhouse emissions by 2050
Climate Bill passes final stage just now in the Dáil by an even bigger majority than second stage last month. All parties in the Dáil are supporting this historic piece of legislation which will set us on a course to net zero emissions by 2050. It’ll go to the Seanad next week. pic.twitter.com/ZxFtt3ud6I
— Brian Leddin (@BrianLeddin) June 16, 2021
Having received only 10 votes against the motion in its final stage of voting , the bill will move to Seanad and pass through the house of Oireachtas.
Politicians opposing the motion fear that the bill will have negative impacts on agriculture and rural communities in Ireland.
The passing of this new legislation saw members of the Irish Farmers Association take to the street of Dublin in protest of the climate bill.
Speaking on the matter, Mattie McGrath of Rural Independent group stated that he believed the bill would negatively impact food production in Ireland and that it would send Ireland back into ‘ prehistoric times’.
The organisation is seeking recognition for the environmental services they provide through such as maintaining pastures. President of the Irish Farming Association Tim Cullinan expressed his concerns over the reproductions of the bill saying it will create “changes in the way we do everything” and described it as “enormously challenging”.
To achieve it’s target the bill also lays out carbon budgets for how much carbon emissions each sector is allowed to produce over a given period of time
Minister for the environment Eamon Ryan has said he believes this bill will create new employment opportunities and will secure our future, creating a resilient and climate neutral economy.
