Ireland has improved in its efforts to cut back on carbon emissions by six places in a league of almost 60 countries, according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
He said a German non-governmental organisation had published a report this week at the UN climate change conference in Nairobi, which ranked developed countries according to their progress in reducing greenhouse emissions. "Ireland was ranked 33rd of 56, an improvement on last year's ranking of 39th," said Mr Ahern.
But Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said that "boasting we have improved from 39th position to 33rd is like boasting that Ireland will beat San Marino in tonight's soccer match".
Mr Sargent referred to warnings that in 30 years, losses from droughts, hurricanes and floods could cost up to €800 billion annually. "This is a level of impact that I do not think the Taoiseach appreciates," he said.
The Dublin North TD pointed to comments by UN secretary general Kofi Annan that "if we cut greenhouse gases the planet can cope. Perhaps that gives the Taoiseach some hopes.
However, Mr Annan has also said it will cost less to cut greenhouse gas emissions now than it will to cope with the effect of them in the future."
Mr Sargent called on the Taoiseach to agree to a minimum of 15 per cent cut in greenhouse gases below 1990 levels, by 2020.
Mr Ahern said that Ireland was successful in addressing national greenhouse gas emissions.
"We have decoupled our economic growth from increases in emissions during the 15-year period between 1990 and 2004. During this time our emissions grew by 23 per cent while our economy grew by 150 per cent.
"We will reduce our emissions by 11 million tonnes a year through measures already in place, including three million tonnes from power plants and large industry through an EU emissions trading scheme."
The Taoiseach pointed out that the key focus of the conference in Nairobi, was "involving countries that do not currently have emission reduction commitments.
"While I am optimistic for progress in these discussions, agreement may not be reached at this meeting. We may have to discuss this again in the new year."
He said that Ireland intended to put further emissions targets in place "but that will be based not on my giving figures from the top of my head but on figures provided by competent people".
