The Government has launched its first quarterly progress report on the Climate Action Plan published in June.
The plan sets out actions across every sector of society to ensure Ireland meets its 2030 climate commitments.
According to the review, 85% - or 149 - of the climate-related actions due for delivery by Government in quarters two and three of 2019 have been met, with the remaining in progress and due for delivery by the end of this year.
The Taoiseach said that everyone has their part to play in solving the climate crisis.
Leo Varadkar said that no sector, business or home will be untouched, and that by publishing the quarterly review the Government is making itself accountable for its delivery.
He highlighted the phasing out of oil exploration in Irish waters, the increase in carbon taxes in the budget and the commitment to ring-fence up to €6 billion from the tax over the next decade for climate action as significant milestones achieved.
The list of other climate-related actions listed as having been being achieved to date includes:
- A new scheme for 1,200 on-street public charge points for electric vehicles, led by local authorities.
- The delivery of the first Luas extension.
- New requirements to ensure all new homes are Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) standard.
- New energy efficiency regulations for home renovations over a certain size.
- The signing of Climate Action Charters signed with all 31 local authorities.
- A commitment to a Just Transition Plan, with €31m announced in Budget 2020 for new measures.
- New rules for public procurement, meaning €12bn of State investment each year will be invested sustainably.
- A Budget 2020 commitment to increase the price of carbon to €80 per tonne in 2030, and to ring-fence all of the proceeds for climate action, tackling energy poverty and delivering a just transition.
- The establishment of a Climate Action Plan Delivery Board, led by the Department of the Taoiseach.
- A retrofitting model taskforce to deliver the new national retrofitting plan which will group homes in the same area together to lower cost, introducing easy pay back models (eg through utility bills) and smart financing.
- A €530m EU grant to deliver the Ireland-France Celtic Interconnector, which will link the Irish and French electricity grids to increase renewable electricity from 30% to 70%.
- The acceptance of Climate Advisory Council advice to ban all new oil exploration off Irish coastal waters.
- The holding of eight town hall meetings across the country to engage with local communities about climate action.
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment said it is only through sustained, consistent effort across every sector that the step change needed will be delivered.
Richard Bruton said the Climate Action Plan, which is the roadmap, includes actions to ensure that Ireland reaches its future climate commitments and does so in a way that imposes the least burden on society.
"This marks good progress but we must consider what barriers exist to achieving 100% delivery and make sure we keep pushing across the board," Mr Bruton added.
Source: RTE
