Taoiseach Micheal Martin has joined other world leaders at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow and will deliver Ireland’s National Statement to the summit later today (Tuesday).
The Taoiseach has said that Ireland has an opportunity to work with the farming sector to make sure there is a sustainable future for young farmers, but that everyone must deal with the realities of climate change and “how much the land can take.”
He said he did not accept reports in the Irish Farmers Journal that emission cuts of 21% could result in the loss of 10,000 jobs and warned against “scaremongering.”
Mr Martin also warned that failure to take action on climate change will result in an undermining of Ireland’s economic viability by climate change, given the impact that weather events such as storms have on economic life.
The Cabinet Climate sub-committee is expected to approve Ireland’s plan for reductions in carbon emissions in each sector of the economy tomorrow (Wednesday).
Mr Martin said: “No sector will escape and it will be very challenging.”
He also said the carbon tax was unpopular but it had two functions – to encourage people to reduce use of carbon products and to create funds for schemes such as retro-fitting of homes and more environmental farming.
There needs to be buy-in from the general public and the Government needs to do more in terms of communicating the message, Mr Martin said.
