Government must match its words at Cop31 with action at home

Sir, – The Cop31 climate negotiations opened in Antalya in Turkey this week, full of the usual hope and expectation, and with an Irish delegation including Minister for Climate Darragh O’Brien in attendance. But the test of Ireland’s commitment to climate change lies in whether the Government is prepared to make the tough decisions urgently needed here at home to stave off climate disaster. Ireland is already falling short of its climate targets.

Even as we take part in international talks on phasing out fossil fuels, the Government is pursuing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal which risks locking us into fossil fuel use for decades, and leaving households exposed to the price shocks that have already made energy bills so hard to manage. A fair transition away from fossil fuels should make everyday life more affordable. That means investing in renewable energy that benefits communities, making homes warmer and cheaper to heat, and giving people reliable public transport at a price they can afford.

It also means banning new LNG terminals and asking whose needs we are serving when we commit more of our electricity supply to energy-hungry data centres while households struggle to pay their bills. The consequences of delay reach far beyond Ireland. Communities that have contributed least to the climate crisis are suffering the most, losing homes, livelihoods and lives. [ Ireland slips further down international ranking for climate action performance Opens in new window ] The people of Ireland are not remaining silent on one of the most important issues facing mankind.

On Saturday, November 14th, thousands from across the country will gather at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin at 1pm for the National Climate Demonstration, organised by Stop Climate Chaos, a coalition of 40 civil society organisations. Others will take part in solidarity actions across the country. The people marching are fed up with inaction and missed climate targets. They are asking for action to ensure a better, safer, fairer country for generations to come.

As climate breakdown accelerates, the Government should listen to the people marching on Saturday and match its words in Antalya with action at home. – Yours, etc, SARA HURLEY, Coordinator, Stop Climate Chaos. Mount Street, Dublin 2.