Does State need to lead fight against climate change?

The Government’s climate legislation now progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas is trumpeted by its proposers and in particular by Green Party supporters as one of the “most ambitious” legislative instruments in any democracy.

It is claimed that the terms of the legislation will bind future governments to achieving reductions in greenhouse gases and consumption of hydrocarbons and, in addition, will impose on all organs of the State a clear duty to comply with the ambitious requirements of carbon budgets submitted by the government of the day to the Oireachtas for approval.