A coalition of charities has called on the Dáil to ensure all sectors play their part to reduce carbon emissions.
It comes ahead of a decision on sectoral ceilings, which they describe as a litmus test of government commitment to climate action.
Ireland’s climate and agriculture ministers were said to be in crunch talks about how big a role farmers will play in the fight yesterday.
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The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition of overseas aid, environment, youth, health and voluntary organisations said those in charge need to ensure agriculture does its fair share following repeated claims Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue has been holding out for cuts at the lowest end of the proposed range of 22%.
With a preferred cut of 30%, that would mean the rest of society has to cut pollution three times as fast as agriculture.
Jim Clarken, CEO of Oxfam Ireland said: “There can’t be any protected positions among Irish sectors in meeting their requirements under the Climate Law, just as there can’t be any inequality among rich nations in reaching our agreed climate targets.
“All of us must play our part, and all of the Irish sectors must reach the upper end of their Sectoral Emissions Ceilings targets to avert further climate catastrophe.”
Research by UCC Professor Hannah Daly has shown that if the agriculture sector is allowed a 22% cut on top of the existing measures in other sectors - we would need to take a quarter of all cars or vans off the road by 2030, close all cement factories or bring another quarter of all houses to zero pollution.
She also suggests every household will face an extra €5,000 in costs to make up for the extra pollution that agriculture wants to still be able to emit.
Oisín Coghlan, CEO of Friends of the Earth said: “Putting such an extra burden on commuters, householders and other businesses so that agriculture can avoid making the big changes we all have to make is neither fair nor feasible.
“Every other sector other than agriculture has already agreed to cut emissions at the top of the range. Agriculture has already been given ‘special consideration’. Its proposed cut of 30% is only half the 60% the rest of the economy and society has to do.
“If the Government makes further concessions to agriculture, who is going to explain to motorists, hauliers, householders and other businesses that they have to make even more expensive cuts?”
The Government is expected to make a decision on sectoral emissions ceilings before it breaks for August. The last Cabinet meeting is July 27.
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