Report Urges Closer Collaboration Between Ireland and UK to Meet Climate Targets
A collaborative effort between Irish business group Ibec and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Northern Ireland underscores the imperative for Ireland to enhance cooperation with the UK, particularly through joint infrastructure investments, to achieve its climate objectives.
According to the joint report, titled “Investing in Shared Infrastructure for Climate Targets,” persistent challenges such as planning delays, workforce shortages, and post-Brexit regulatory disparities have hindered investment efforts across the island of Ireland in recent years. These hurdles have significantly impacted the timely delivery of large-scale renewable projects, including solar farms, wind turbines, and inter-connectors.
The report highlights cumbersome planning processes, regulatory ambiguities, resource deficiencies in key agencies, and protracted legal challenges as primary obstacles faced by developers. Failure to address these issues, the report warns, could lead to the relocation of crucial investments, talent, and supply chains, ultimately jeopardizing the island’s ability to meet energy and emissions goals.
Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has forecasted a substantial shortfall in meeting EU emission reduction targets for 2030, even with the ambitious initiatives outlined in the Climate Action Plan unveiled last year. The EPA projects emissions reductions of only up to 30% by 2030, falling short of the 42% target set for the same period.
In response to these challenges, businesses across Ireland are urging policymakers in Belfast, Dublin, and London to embark on a new phase of energy collaboration and investment in shared infrastructure. This includes reaffirming commitment to the Single Electricity Market, essential for fostering an integrated and efficient energy network.
Fergal O’Brien, Ibec’s Executive Director of Lobbying, emphasizes the opportunity presented by the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and the resumption of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) to initiate a fresh era of all-Ireland cooperation in addressing climate challenges.
Angela McGowan, Director of CBI Northern Ireland, stresses the economic imperative for Northern Ireland to expand its energy policy collaboration with both Ireland and Britain. Recognizing the significant benefits of increased investment, energy security, and job creation, McGowan underscores the need for collaborative efforts to overcome regulatory divergences and ensure unhindered progress towards climate objectives.
Source: Irish Independent
