Government must push for ‘30/30’ climate deal Childers says in Copenhagen

Posted by Bronwen Maher on December 14, 2009 at 04:41 PM

Speaking from Copenhagen, host city for the UN Climate Change Conference, Nessa Childers, Ireland’s sole member of the European Parliament Environment Committee said:

“The Irish government should lead from the front and urge the EU to offer to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent ahead of 2020 in addition to pledging €30b in climate protection measures for developing countries.
 
“Minister for the Environment John Gormley should accept particular responsibility for pushing a deal towards the higher end of the spectrum, as Ireland is the EU’s second highest emitter of carbon dioxide.
 
“China, the Unites States in particular and other major economic and geopolitical powers need to come to an accommodation as soon as possible which balances the absolute need to stop the planet from warming with the requirements of the developing world.
 
“The EU leadership always insists that Europe leads by example on this issue, well now is the time to prove it. The Irish government, and Minister John Gormley in particular should roll up their sleeves and use their influence with the EU negotiation team to push for an ambitious deal as possible, which would also have a transformational impact on the Irish and global economy.

"The heads of state and government should offer a '30/30' climate protection package to their international partners: 30 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2020 and €30b in financial contributions for climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

“I believe that reaching higher targets on emissions is now much more achievable than first thought. There is a clear economic win-win involved in pursuing higher targets too. Reductions in GHG emissions of 30 per cent or even higher would have a revolutionary impact on the Irish and European economies. It would help create the dynamic and the demand needed to drive the development of the clean energy sector, leading to a massive increase in indigenous and sustainable green jobs.”

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