Sir, – Your editorial "Cosmetic changes on climate change response by Ireland" (July 3rd) includes the claim that Ibec has been lobbying to ensure that industrial and transport emissions are not curtailed. This is not true. Ibec's members include numerous companies involved in low-carbon technologies and the promotion of energy efficiency. We work with other stakeholders to further these goals in a way that does not damage international competitiveness. When the heads of the Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Bill were published in 2013, Ibec expressed support for their provisions. That position has not changed. The legislation as currently proposed is consistent with the EU's overall policy approach.
Ireland’s existing greenhouse target for 2020 would be very difficult and costly to achieve by domestic action alone. However, the European Commission always envisaged that we would achieve it in part by paying for low-carbon investment in other member states. An EU-wide target for 2030 has already been agreed, with member state targets to follow shortly. The inclusion of pre-emptive targets in national legislation would not increase the EU’s overall ambition, but it could increase our compliance costs unnecessarily. – Yours, etc,
NEIL WALKER,
Head of Infrastructure,
Ibec,
84-86 Lower Baggot Street,
Dublin 2.