Announced by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, it is part of a series of town hall meetings on his Climate Action Plan.
The science on the damage being done by greenhouse gases is categorical. The window of opportunity to act to contain the damage is fast closing. Every country needs to rally behind ambitious plans to make big structural changes in our economy and society. The Climate Action Plan delivers a roadmap to achieve Ireland's 2030 targets for carbon emissions and puts us on a trajectory to achieve net zero by 2050. It helps to move us from fear and anxiety to action and opportunity.
Minister Bruton said: "Young people have led the way highlighting the urgency of taking climate action. This is the greatest challenge facing the world and we must act now, and leave a better, healthier, more sustainable Ireland for future generations. The Climate Action Plan provides our way forward."
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The Climate Action Plan identifies how Ireland will achieve its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, and puts us on a trajectory to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The Climate Action Plan sets out an ambitious plan which will by 2030:
• Have 5 times as much renewable energy on our grid
• Have 10 times as much retrofitting of homes and buildings
• Have 25 times todays penetration of Electric Vehicles among new cars going on the road
• Have zero non-recyclable plastics compared to 60% today
• Have 500,000 extra daily public/active commuter journeys
• Have planted 250 million new trees
The Minister continued: "I am here today to host a Climate Action Youth Town Hall as part of a series of nationwide consultative meetings on the Plan, to explain the approach, hear views and take on ideas. It is vital that the voices of young people are heard as we shape decisions for their future. A Climate Action Plan 2020 will be published next year which will also take into account all consultation that takes place.
"Under this Plan, Dublin will be a better place to live, work and grow up. Success will be driven from a local level. Dublin already has a strong network to build from with 33 sustainable energy community groups already established. Last year over 830 homes availed of the warmer homes scheme amounting to almost €7m investment in homes in Dublin and many others availed of grants to deep retrofit their homes and businesses and upgrade to electric vehicles. All of these choices taken by the people of Dublin collectively amount to significant change to our environment. But people must ask can I do more.
"I am looking forward to this mornings discussion. The transformation that is required will require every community in the country to make changes and take on the challenge."
(MH/JG)
