The Social Democrats today launched their policy on Climate Action and Nature Protection.<\/p>\n
The policy was launched by Jennifer Whitmore, spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, and Cllr Joan Hopkins, the party\u2019s candidate in Dublin Fingal East.<\/p>\n
The document outlines how, in government, the Social Democrats will create a revised Climate Action Plan that will allow Ireland reach its international targets by 2030 and avoid up to \u20ac8 billion in EU fines.<\/p>\n
This would be achieved by investing \u20ac5 billion in renewable energy, including a \u20ac200 million research and development fund that would see Ireland become world leaders in floating offshore wind.<\/p>\n
In addition, the party would install solar panels on 500,000 homes and make them free to low-income households.<\/p>\n
Other measures contained in the policy include support for farmers through the creation of a \u20ac1.5 billion fair transition fund; the fast-tracking of major public transport projects such as MetroLink; the enactment of the Marine Protected Areas Bill; the funding and implementation of an ambitious nature restoration plan; and doubling the size of our national parks.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the launch of the policy at Sandymount Strand in Dublin today, Jennifer Whitmore said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Fine Gael, Fianna F\u00e1il and Green Party government wasted every opportunity of their almost five-year term to deal with climate action. We know this because every single independent State agency assigned to review Ireland\u2019s progress in this area, including the EPA, the Climate Change Advisory Council and the SEAI, have told them they are failing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason we are not on course to meet our 2030 emission reduction targets is because the outgoing government was not ambitious enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince this election campaign began, Fianna F\u00e1il have been giving farmers false hope by pledging to fight for the retention of the nitrates derogation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut instead of engaging in such populist rhetoric, they should be honest with the agriculture sector \u2013 business as usual is not going to be the way forward if we want to protect nature and end the pollution of our rivers and seas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Social Democrats want to work with farmers and support them so they do not face a cliff edge when the derogation inevitably ends. The sector should not be left picking up the pieces because the government was afraid to talk honestly with them and take the hard but necessary steps needed to meet our climate ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Joan Hopkins said:<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are acutely aware that climate change is real. In my Dublin Fingal East constituency, homes and gardens have started to fall into the sea in Portrane because of decades of inaction on climate mitigation by successive governments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is happening in Portrane could happen in Portmarnock and elsewhere in 10 or 15 years\u2019 time if we do not act now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to see further investment in public transport and active travel to reduce car dependency. In Swords, in north Dublin, people have been waiting 30 years for a metro, which is completely unacceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the Social Democrats, we are committed to rolling up our sleeves and getting things done. The plan we are launching today is about making it easier for people to do the right thing when it comes to nature protection and climate action.\u201d<\/p>\n