Environmental group Friends of the Earth Ireland today claimed the Government will not tackle global warming unless it is forced to by law.
As United Nations talks on climate change began in Kenya, Friends of the Earth said legislation was needed to ensure Ireland does its fair share to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The group wants the Oireachtas to pass a Climate Security Act mandating 3 per cent year-on-year cuts in emissions. They also want an independent body set up to monitor progress.
Oisin Coghlan, Friends of the Earth director, said emissions had to be cut by at least two-thirds by 2050.
"The economics is clear, the sooner we act the cheaper it will be. What we need now is the politics," he said.
"The only sensible way to make the shift we need is in a planned, step-by-step way. Long-term targets on their own don't work. Our failure to keep our Kyoto commitment shows that. All-party support for a Climate Security Act which makes 3 per cent annual reductions the law is the best way forward."
The UN climate talks beginning today are the start of a process to agree what countries will have to do after the current Kyoto agreement runs out in 2012.
Mr Coghlan said with the talks in Kenya the international spotlight will be on the fact that Africa, already the poorest continent, will be hardest hit by climate change. Scientists are forecasting more frequent droughts and falling crop yields for the continent.
"Ireland sees itself at the forefront of the fight against poverty in Africa, with plans to spend €1.5 billion a year on overseas aid by 2012. But we're also the fifth most climate-polluting country in world per person and we're overshooting our Kyoto commitment by 100 per cent," Mr Coghlan said.
PA