The Cabinet has approved the publication of the Climate Action Bill, which commits Ireland to becoming a zero-carbon state by 2050. The final legislation is stronger than the draft version published by Eamon Ryan, environment and climate minister, in the autumn. That document was criticised for using less-than-robust language and for designing targets that were too vague. It was also criticised for not assigning responsibilities for delivery of various measures and for not setting sanctions at convincing, dissuasive levels. The bill is very welcome, but it is only a tiny piece in a huge jigsaw — and it may not even become that unless it is credibly enforced.

Source: Irish Examiner March 24, 2021 08:15 UTC