Govt reaffirms commitment to climate issue

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the challenge of climate change following publication of the European Commission's proposed greenhouse gas and renewable energy targets for 2020.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the approach signalled by the commission raised very serious economic and social issues for Ireland, and required very careful consideration.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Drivetime, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, said meeting the targets will be a real challenge, but the cost of doing nothing would be greater than the cost of action.

Ireland is asked to cut greenhouse gases by 20% and increase the use of renewable energy sources, like wind and wave power, from 2% to 16%.

The programme for government already commits Ireland to a 30%share of renewables.

The targets for Ireland could cost up to €1bn a year for the next 12 years.

Today's plan sets out how member states should share an overall goal to get one fifth of all energy demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Member states unable to meet mandatory targets at home would be allowed to pay other EU countries to produce renewable energy on their behalf.

The burden of meeting the targets will fall more heavily on the richest states.

Some industrial groups have expressed concern about the costs and potential damage to the competitiveness of industries based in Europe.

At their summit last March, European leaders agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by one fifth over the next dozen years, giving them the slogan 20% by 2020.

It also believes industry will benefit by pioneering new energy technologies, for which there will be a worldwide market.

But some industrial groups say the costs are too high and the plans may force some businesses out of Europe and into less regulated parts of the world.

Here is the full list set out today:

 Source: European Commission