Ireland is “significantly off track” in meeting its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report on climate change from Trócaire.

The aid agency also said Ireland’s carbon emissions are equal to that of 400 million of the world’s poor, and called on the Government to introduce targets to reduce Ireland’s carbon footprint.

"Under the European Union climate and energy package for 2020, the Republic of Ireland has a 20 per cent reduction target in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020," the report said.

"However, the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate the emissions in the Republic of Ireland . . . is significantly off track, with decreases of only 5-12 per cent projected."