Climate change is "probably the greatest environmental threat" and a "critical test of our commitment to sustainable development", according to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey. Addressing an ESRI conference in Dublin yesterday, he expressed confidence Ireland would meet the "demanding and ambitious" target of containing the gas emissions blamed for causing global warming.
He said a major consultancy study commissioned by his Department and the Department of Public Enterprise to examine existing policies and identify additional measures at national level to limit these emissions would be completed shortly.
He endorsed the ESRI's conclusion that all sectors of the economy "must undertake their appropriate share" of the overall effort to contain emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. He noted that the most recent assessment by a UN panel of scientists had concluded that climate change was a real threat and, if action was not taken, it would have "profound consequences for human health, food security, water resources and coastal areas".
"Uncertainties remain about the extent and rate of climate change and its regional impacts. But it would be very unwise, even foolish, to use these uncertainties as an excuse for not taking intensified action now to reduce the risk and potential impacts of climate change."
Mr Dempsey said it was clear from the positions being adopted by other developed countries in failing to match the EU's target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 by 15 per cent that next month's Kyoto summit would be "difficult".
Mr Yvo de Boer, of the Netherlands Ministry of Spatial Planning, outlined the comprehensive approach being taken in his country to reduce emissions.
He told the conference that Dutch householders now had the option of buying "green electricity", which the suppliers guarantee has been generated from renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, and many of them were willing to pay a premium for it.
Ms Sadhbh O'Neill, of Earthwatch, asked what traffic in Dublin would be like if the city reached American-style levels of car ownership and the number of cars on the road doubled. This was one indication that the economy was growing in an "unsustainable way". She said Ireland was one of the most "carbon-intensive" countries in Europe. But curbing climate change offered an opportunity to invest in sustainable energy policies based on energy conservation and developing renewables, such as solar and wind power.
Ms Rosemary Steen, of IBEC, said Irish industry was not seeking to shirk its responsibilities in dealing with climate change. Its share of carbon dioxide emissions had fallen from 16 per cent to 10 per cent since 1985, mainly because of the growth of the service sector. She stressed the need to widen the debate to include agriculture and transport.
Mr Jim Devlin, of the IFA, said farmers took climate change seriously because they were directly affected by dramatic weather events. But they would also be "wary" of the ESRI's proposal for a new energy tax. Mr Danny McCoy, an economist with the Central Bank, said it was "difficult to find an equitable way of paying the bill", which could run to 40 trillion dollars worldwide over 20 years. Mr Donal Enright, of the Department of the Environment, said it was unlikely that a single target for greenhouse gas emissions would be agreed in Kyoto. Mr John Gormley TD (Green Party) said all-party agreement on the introduction of eco-taxes was necessary because they would not be politically popular.
