Delays to the latest Climate Action Plan show that the government is continuing to backslide on Ireland’s commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions by 51 per cent by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said:
“Just one week after Minister Darragh O’Brien admitted the State would only reduce emissions by half its 51 per cent legally binding target, we have now learned that the 2026 Climate Action Plan will not be published before April – the second year in a row it has been delayed.
“Ireland is now on course to only reduce its emissions by 23 per cent – a direct result of years of drift, delay and inaction.
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that we will exceed our carbon budgets for both 2021-2025 and 2026-2030. This will saddle future governments – and the taxpayer – with billions in EU non-compliance fines and put the country at risk of more extreme weather events. It is beyond reckless.
“The lack of urgency from this government and its predecessor has resulted in Ireland slipping backwards on our climate action ambitions. Our emissions cut potential dropped from 29 per cent to 23 per cent in just one year due to the failure to deliver on renewables, heat systems and improved transport infrastructure.
“With sectors such as transport, energy and agriculture nowhere near meeting their emissions reduction targets, the government has effectively given up the ghost on climate action.
“Another delayed Climate Action Plan only adds to the perception that this is not a priority area for the government.
“The publication process requires more transparency and accountability. At the very least, this plan should be released at the end of each December and not be allowed to drift into the second quarter of the year.
“Anything less is a complete abdication by the government of Ireland’s climate action responsibilities.”
January 16, 2026