Irish Climate Change Bill

Labour's Liz McManus issued a statement yesterday criticising the government for failing to have published a climate change bill within the last year. She saved special rebuke for the Green Party for not ensuring that climate change has become a major priority during its time in government.

Lobbying for a climate bill has intensified in recent months. The Irish coalition Stop Climate Chaos recently held a very successful event which resulted in over 70 TDs signing a climate commitment which secured their support for:

- the passing of a strong climate bill that achieves targets without relying on the purchase of carbon offset credits
- the establishment of an independent advisory climate change committee

Since the lobby event more TDs have signed up with the number now exceeding 80, although that includes Minister John Gormley's amended climate commitment which unfortunately excludes the text about carbon offset credits.

The Irish Government needs to deliver a strong climate change law this year that meets the demands of the climate commitment (which has received massive cross party support) and protects the overseas development aid budget from being raided to pay for Ireland's contribution to address climate change internationally.

You can see if your local TDs have already voiced their support for the climate commitment here and if not; get on their cases.