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Project Ireland 2040's climate action priority unveiled
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten TD, has unveiled the climate action priority of Project Ireland 2040 'Empowering Communities for Climate Action'.
The National Development Plan prioritises €21.8bn for climate action. At the announcement today in Smock Alley, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said:
"Climate action is a top priority of this government. Future generations depend on the actions we take today. Project Ireland 2040 sets out our ambitions in regard to building a sustainable, ambitions that can only be realised by working together with communities, businesses and individuals."
Minister Denis Naughten said:
"Effective change is putting the levers for climate action into people’s hands. Delivery requires fundamental transformation in our thinking and Project Ireland 2040 represents a significant step-change in our approach, both in the scale of our ambition and the funding that we’re making available as a government to meet the challenges. Well over €1 in every €5 is to be spent under the National Development Plan on climate mitigation and adaptation.
"This government is serious about taking strong action on climate change. Today we demonstrated our commitment and unity behind meeting our objectives together. I also see individuals and communities as an essential part of the low-carbon transition. While government has a leadership role, we also recognise that we don’t have a monopoly on the solutions for the societal transformation required for Ireland to become a low-carbon and climate-resilient society."
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said:
"This government fully recognises the challenge we face in relation to climate action and has set out a clear strategy to address this challenge through the National Mitigation Plan and National Adaptation Framework. Our ambition to fund these strategies through the National Development Plan is clearly outlined and this includes a commitment to invest €21.8bn in achieving a transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.
"Through the actions of both this government and the previous government, Ireland has returned to a position where we can now make these much needed investments. It will only be through continued prudent management of our resources and our economy that we as a society will continue to be in a position to make these necessary investments into the future. And investing in low carbon technologies and infrastructure and climate resilience is perhaps the most prudent investment there is in our collective future."