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Fresh call for carbon tax increase as minister admits emissions plan isn't working

There's a fresh call for carbon tax to be raised to help tackle climate change. It came as the En...
Newstalk
Newstalk

10.38 30 Aug 2018


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Fresh call for carbon tax incr...

Fresh call for carbon tax increase as minister admits emissions plan isn't working

Newstalk
Newstalk

10.38 30 Aug 2018


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There's a fresh call for carbon tax to be raised to help tackle climate change.

It came as the Environment Minister conceded that the Government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions isn't working.

In an interview in the Irish Times, Denis Naughten again acknowledged that recent EPA figures showing rising CO2 emissions are "very disappointing".

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He added that the National Mitigation plan is expected to be radically revised in coming months.

A consultation process will be held before the plan is submitted to the European Commission by the end of the year.

The Government has already acknowleged that work is under way to consider an increase in the carbon tax.

Howvever, the chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council, Professor John Fitzgerald, says the Government needs to start implementing major policies aimed at reducing our emissions.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, he argued: "We need to make it more expensive to pollute the world - so a carbon tax.

"I think the Government will be happy to raise the carbon tax - but the problem is they need support in the Oireachtas. This is not just for Government, it's for the Oireachtas - are they prepared to support the first measure that is essential to underpin action?"

He stressed that the tax would only be the first measure, and would need to be supplemented by other moves - such as offering supports for people to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes and long-term efforts to support the increasing use of electric cars.

He added: "We do have to make hard choices... but communities must see the benefits."


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