The revised Climate Action Bill is considerably more reassuring in its ambition, backed by tight targets and clarity of language, than the earlier draft version. The obligation to act is stronger, arising from a legally-binding framework and a “national climate objective” which commits to “pursue and achieve no later than 2050, the transition to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally-sustainable and climate-neutral economy”.
That 2050 goal is bolstered by more demanding targets in the meantime, as a commitment to a 51 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2030 is to be enshrined in law. The governance structure is more robust; five-yearly carbon budgets will have to be framed in light of these headline targets. In addition, an enhanced Climate Change Advisory Council, in proposing a carbon budget to government, must be aligned with the Paris climate agreement.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin summed up the Bill as a "hardwiring into law" of climate targets that would force change and bring on innovation to help meet the climate challenge, especially in the coming decade. Among his coalition partners, however, how the 51 per cent cut was to be framed was a source of considerable tension. Fine Gael wanted safeguards on potentially vulnerable parts of the economy while the Green Party wanted no dilution of what was a key objective underpinning its decision to go into government.
As a consequence, the Bill was subjected to fine-tooth comb evaluation – a wise move, given the target is attempting to halve emissions over a decade; a feat unmatched by any other economy.
Although some will dismiss the Bill as a bureaucratic mechanism which is destined to fail to address the climate crisis, deeper analysis indicates new accountability whereby ministers will be held responsible for emissions within the sectors under their remit. The threat of EU fines for failing to meet more demanding green deal targets will also concentrate minds.
This framework has the potential to transform every section of the economy, ultimately impacting on the lifestyle of every citizen as the State accelerates decarbonisation efforts and weans off fossil fuels. So its commitments to “climate justice” will be severely tested as many will be disadvantaged by the transition, though ultimately it will lead to greater sustainability.
Hard graft is required immediately. All-party consensus will be put under strain. Sectoral limits, especially for the problematic areas of agriculture and transport, will have to be agreed. The “pollution pie”, through permitted sectoral emission ceilings, has to be divided up with inevitable trade-offs and compromises. Yet if wide consultation leads to collective buy-in and vigorous implementation, this Bill has a real chance of delivering on its ambitions.