The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said:
“In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for 2025, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) points out that Irish taxpayers have subsidised fossil fuels by €4.7 billion in the last five years, which has impeded our transition to a cleaner, more efficient economy.
“As we have exceeded our carbon budget caps for 2021-2025, excess emissions will have to be added to the cuts needed in the next carbon budget covering 2026-2030. However, because we are constantly playing catch-up, it will make it next to impossible to meet our legally binding climate action commitments by 2030, potentially leaving Ireland open to EU fines of up to €26 billion.
“The review found that transport and agriculture, which make up 55 per cent of emissions, are miles off hitting their targets. This is hardly surprising given the government’s lack of leadership in these sectors.
“Public transport is simply not meeting our needs, with unreliable services and poor connectivity making it difficult for people to choose low-emissions alternatives. This is a direct result of poor planning and decades of chronic underinvestment.
“Deliberate government policy has also led to years of intensive farming practices. This has locked Ireland into an agricultural model that is incompatible with climate targets and puts rural communities at risk from more extreme weather events.
“Instead of spending billions on fossil fuel subsidies, we should be accelerating investment in renewables and clean transport. By continuing down this dangerous road, the government is sleepwalking the country towards inevitable failure.”
November 13, 2025