Ireland had the largest increase in emissions in the EU last year, Eurostat has confirmed.
It was one of only four countries to increase emissions annually, prompting a call for urgent radical change in national transport and energy policy.
Labour leader Ivana Bacik hit out at the reports, calling for the introduction of SUV tax and a climate ticket to help tackle the crisis.
"Like the measure introduced in France, a punitive tax on gas guzzling SUVs could be transformational in terms of our carbon emissions," said Deputy Bacik. "Four out of the top five cars sold in Ireland last year were SUVS – that is a worrying trend that needs to be reversed.
"Data from The World Energy Outlook of 2021 and the Global Fuel Economy Initiative 2021 shows that if SUVs were an individual country, that country would rank sixth among the world's highest carbon emissions. We need to tackle the growing SUV problem here in Ireland.
"Labour has also consistently campaigned for the introduction of a monthly climate ticket to encourage people out of their cars and onto trains, buses and trams, like they did in Germany.
"Yesterday we learned that global temperatures are likely to surge to record levels in the next five years – according to an update from the World Meteorological Organisation. This rise in temperature is fuelled by heat-trapping greenhouse gases that come from our over-reliance on fossil fuel, among other things. Tackling the transport trap in Ireland would be a welcome step in the right direction.
"A commitment from Government is also needed to end our overreliance on gas by ramping up our renewable energy generation capacity. Finland, for example, recently dropped their gas use by 55.7% while Ireland's stayed the same. Instead of being a leader on offshore wind, we continue to be laggards. We are at a turning point in the history of humanity. Where is the leadership from the Government?"
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
19/05/2023
Urgent Plea For Change In Ireland's Transport And Energy Policy
Latest Construction News
03/05/2024
Construction work has commenced on a new £9 million build at Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira. Funding from the Fresh Start Programme will facilitate the establishment of a new, modern primary school, with 14 classrooms and a nursery unit capable of accommodating over 340 ...
03/05/2024
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. together with Leas Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, has opened the Greencastle Harbour Breakwater. The 270-metre Breakwater aims to improve the protection of vessels in the harbour against wave ...
03/05/2024
NI Water has initiated a £3.5 million improvement programme at Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW). Murphy Dawson Wam JV is undertaking the project, which focuses on improving the three-stage treatment process at the current facility. This will entail installing new filtration gear and a ...
03/05/2024
Bennett Construction has announced that it has achieved Practical Completion (PC) on the Tristan Square Development in Chapelizod, Dublin. The project includes the construction of 180 social and affordable apartments split in to one, two and three bed homes over three blocks. Each of the units are ...
03/05/2024
SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland have revealed that Microsoft has committed to a lengthy Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the co-developers. This agreement will inject 30MW of wind energy into Ireland's power grid through the recently launched Lenalea Wind Farm, located near ...
03/05/2024
Farrans has announced that it has collected three awards, including one Gold, at the Considerate Constructor Scheme's National Awards. The CCS National Awards honour outstanding sites, organisations and people who show exceptional commitment to the Code of Considerate Practice in Community, ...
03/05/2024
County Down headquartered GRAHAM has started construction work on a new £59 million low-carbon development in Edinburgh. The Burnet Point scheme in Abbey Lane which combines student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes is the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by Unite ...
03/05/2024
Alliance's Housing spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed the NI Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) commitment to reduce carbon emissions in social homes and combat climate change. Housing associations are currently in the process of developing a scheme set to launch this autumn. ...
03/05/2024
Fibrus has announced that it has exceeded its 80,000 customer milestone, as it gains over 50,000 customers in just one year. The broadband provider burst on to the scene to transform the digital infrastructure of rural and regional areas of Northern Ireland and has shaken up the market due to its ...
03/05/2024
Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced his support for the 'No Mow May' approach to help promote biodiversity on the roadside during this month. The Department for Infrastructure oversees the maintenance of 45,000km of grass verges along the road network. In recent years, it has been ...