Ireland fights wind of change on CO2

Dublin risks a storm by opposing renewable energy and greenhouse gas targets on the same day Ophelia strikes
Storm Ophelia, the latest weather event linked to climate change, fells a tree in Ballsbridge
Storm Ophelia, the latest weather event linked to climate change, fells a tree in Ballsbridge
ROLLINGNEWS.IE

The government circulated a fresh set of proposals aimed at weakening EU climate legislation last Monday, the day that the aftermath of Hurricane Ophelia battered the country.

In a leaked paper dated October 16, which was circulated to other member states, Ireland argued against several proposals designed to ensure the EU meets its renewable energy and greenhouse gas goals for 2030.

The EU has set a collective aim of having 27% renewables in its energy mix by 2030, and is currently negotiating how it will meet this target, as member states have refused to take on any more binding national targets after 2020.

The proposed solution is that countries will “pledge” their own renewables targets for 2030 and the European Commission will assess whether they