When it comes to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, Ireland is only taking baby steps instead of the giant strides needed to help us reach our legally binding targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said:
“The latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 2.2% last year. While this puts us 14.5% below 2018 levels, it’s a still a considerable distance from the 51% reduction needed by 2030.
“The EPA has warned that achieving this target will be extremely challenging and will require annual emissions to fall four-and-a-half times faster than they did in 2025.
“Any decrease in our greenhouse gas emissions is welcome, but this is just a modest reduction. Frustratingly, Ireland is only taking baby steps instead of the giant strides needed to hit our targets and avoid billions in non-compliance fines from the EU.
“What we’re seeing from this Government is a poverty of ambition, exemplified by the fact that we are now in the second half of the year and there is still no sign of the 2026 Climate Action Plan.
“Meanwhile, data centres are now using more electricity than all urban homes combined; the cost of public EV charging has shot up; and the Government continues to ignore the largely untapped potential of solar energy, locking us into continued dependency on fossil fuels.
“The Government will inevitably try to put a positive spin on the latest EPA figures. But make no mistake – there is little cause for celebration.”
July 8, 2026