Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) which ranks Ireland last in the environment index and 13th in the climate action index out of 15 high income EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12890/21]
View answerThe Sustainable Progress Index report is a critical reminder that Ireland needs to do more in order to progress climate and environmental goals. I acknowledge that to achieve these objectives will require fundamental changes in how we live our lives. The Programme for Government places climate action and environmental sustainability at the centre of the Government's policy agenda.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, to be published shortly, will significantly strengthen the statutory climate governance framework to support achieving our climate objectives. I am also currently leading the preparation of the 2021 Climate Action Plan, which will set out actions that must be taken across every sector in order to ensure we deliver on our commitments. To inform the next Plan, I will shortly launch a public consultation, complemented by a strengthened National Dialogue on Climate Action to create enduring structures for citizen engagement and activation on climate change across all of society.
I also recently launched a public consultation on the introduction of a nationwide ban on smoky fuels, which when finalised will improve air quality delivering our environmental targets, but will also provide significant health benefits, improving quality of life and our overall well-being.
The Sustainable Progress Index report highlighted New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget. I would note that Ireland is also taking concrete steps in this area and work is underway to deliver the Programme for Government commitment to develop new measures of well-being and progress, recognising that in order to achieve a well-rounded policy-making system there is a pressing need to move beyond uniquely economic measures. Work is also progressing across Government to mainstream the approach to equality budgeting, further illustrating the commitment to inform policy beyond economic values. These will be important developments as we move to advance our implementation of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year, my Department will also lead the development of Ireland’s second SDG National Implementation Plan to further guide implementation and promote awareness of the Goals. It is important to emphasise that meeting Ireland’s commitments under the SDGs will entail ambition across Government and wider society.In this regard, the SDG Stakeholder Forum, established under the first SDG Plan, will continue to provide a further interface between the public bodies and civil society to inform the next Plan and support our collective work to deliver the SDGs.
