The model of the Citizens Assembly should be adopted internationally so politicians and citizens can consider difficult issues on actions to counter climate change, according to Irish non-governmental organisations attending the UN climate talks in Bonn. To ensure credibility, however, Prof Sweeney said the Government needed implement much of the assembly’s recent recommendations on climate change. Prof Sweeney said the EU was weaker in enforcement than it has been and said there was a need to ratchet up commitments. As talks move to a conclusion on Friday, Prof Sweeney noted French president Emmanuel Macron had flagged the possibility of a Border tax in any future trade agreements. “It will be interesting to see if it is taken up by other countries including in Ireland,” Prof Sweeney said.

Source: The Irish Times November 16, 2017 12:11 UTC