Community Law & Mediation’s Centre for Environmental Justice and An Taisce have made a submission to the Climate Change Advisory Council on carbon budgets 3 and 4.

We highlight four key considerations that should guide the development of carbon budgets 3 and 4 to deliver stronger and fairer climate action.

But first, what is a carbon budget, and why have we made this submission?

A carbon budget sets the total amount of emissions that may be released in the State during a five-year period. Carbon budgets are prepared by the Climate Change Advisory Council. Once they have been approved by government, they are legally binding.

We are making this submission because Ireland’s emissions are not decreasing rapidly enough to stay within the confines of the first two carbon budgets (covering five-year periods to 2025 and 2030). The amount of carbon we can release while keeping global warming within 1.5°C is running out quickly and any overshoot will have to be carried forward to reduce carbon budgets 3 and 4 (covering five-year periods to 2035 and 2040).

2023 was the warmest and wettest year on record in Ireland. Heavy rainfall impacted farmers and storms eroded Ireland’s soft coastline. Temperatures will continue to rise with more disruptive impacts across the island and the world unless rapid and significant action is taken to reduce emissions.

Our recommendations

1. Include a transparent assessment of Ireland’s differentiated capacity and historical responsibility: Developed countries like Ireland, with higher historical emissions and strong capacity must lead the way, ensuring carbon budgets 3 and 4 reflect Ireland's fair share in meeting the global 1.5°C target.
2. Introduce a monitoring and accountability mechanism: to ensure the full implementation of carbon budgets 3 and 4 .
3. Include all sectors of the economy: including land use, aviation, and shipping
4. Just transition: It is essential that carbon budgets 3 and 4 are designed with the 1.5°C limit in mind to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and ensure a fair, inclusive, and proactively managed transition.

Read our submission in full here 

Timeframe

Carbon budgets 3 and 4 are due to be submitted by the Climate Change Advisory Council to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication by 31^st December 2024.