The Climate Action Plan 2021 promises to deliver a "cleaner greener, economy and society" to protect Ireland from the "devastating consequences of climate change".
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said failure to act now is "simply not an option". The programme will cost €125 billion in a combination of public and private sector investment.
The plan lists the actions needed to deliver on our climate targets and sets indicative ranges of emissions reductions for each sector of the economy.
It states that the public sector will "lead by example" by reducing emissions by 51% by 2030 and mandating public sector employers, colleges and other public sector bodies to move to 20% home and remote working.
A sustainable mobility policy in the public sector will see all buses replaced with electric vehicles by 2035 and tripling the length of electrified rail by 2030.
Mr Martin said the plan would be "transformational". The "time to step up is now" and "we all must have the collective courage to do so".
Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says "the time to step up is now" and adds "we will do everything we can" to ensure Ireland is at the forefront of the global effort to get our planet back on a sustainable path. | Read more: https://t.co/wV6kHzvvNd pic.twitter.com/LRDeybH5zt
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 4, 2021
The Taoiseach added: "As I said in Glasgow, the scale of the challenge is unprecedented, but it is not too late to act.
"It is now crystal clear that we need to dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we are putting into the atmosphere, to have hope of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C, keep our ecosystems functioning and ensure that our planet is safe and liveable for generations to come."
He said the effects of climate change would have a "massive negative economic impact on Ireland".
Mr Martin said: "I recognise that the transition to climate neutrality no later than 2050 will require a profound change in the practices and sectors that support our lifestyle.
"Our homes, workplaces, communities must all adapt but the benefits to all of us and future generations are clear.
"In terms of our public health and our overall quality of life, the plan we are publishing today has the potential to be transformational.
"For some it will be difficult, but the simple truth is that if we delay any further we will face greater costs and be able to seize fewer opportunities."
He said he accepted that some regions and sectors will be more affected than others. "That is why we will provide significant and practical support to enable a Just Transition."
The Taoiseach added: "Yes, it will be challenging but for the sake of our children and for the generations to come, we must confront the reality we now face."
Asked about agricultural emissions, he said there is "an obsession" with herd size.
"The Government will work with farmers to secure even more efficiencies. The key objective is reducing emissions - not counting cattle."
The Irish Farmers' Association said the emissions ceiling for agriculture announced by the Government today will be "extremely challenging" and could have a profound impact on the rural economy.
IFA President Tim Cullinan said: "The frustration for farmers is that they know that if less food is produced in Ireland, it will be produced elsewhere, with a higher carbon footprint".
Tánaiste Leo Varadakar said the need for action has "long since passed urgent".
He said despite being a small country, on a per capita basis, Ireland is "among the highest in the world when it comes to releasing greenhouse gases into the environment".
Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar says Ireland is one of the highest in the world per capita when it comes to producing and releasing greenhouse gases to the environment, and says "we need to do a lot more ourselves". | More: https://t.co/wV6kHzvvNd pic.twitter.com/ipwmRQO41S
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 4, 2021
Mr Varadkar said grants, tax incentives and low cost loans "will be key to ensuring that consumers go green on things like insulating their homes".
He added: "This action plan is not about coercing people, it's about convincing people. It's about bringing them along and getting them on board."
Nobody is going to have to give up their car or be forced to buy an electric vehicle, he said.
"But when the time does come to change your car, we want to make sure that the balance of incentives and disincentives is right so that you make the decision to go electric."
The Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan said "for too long, we have been held up as climate laggards" but we are now "up to the task as a country".
Minister @EamonRyan says Ireland is up to the task as a country to show real leadership in cutting greenhouse emissions. | Read more: https://t.co/wV6kHzvvNd pic.twitter.com/t0sQBUDN6x
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 4, 2021
He said to those who question why Ireland should act while other countries hold back, "the obvious answer is why should we miss out on this opportunity to change our country for the better".
Opposition parties call for detail, timelines and 'financial firepower'
Sinn Féin climate action spokesperson Darren O'Rourke said the new climate plan was "high on rhetoric but short on detail. Simply put, the Government’s figures don’t stack up".
He commented: "Let's remember that this plan is coming from parties that have not met one climate target in the last decade; other than their plan to increase carbon taxes.
"Many of the targets and measures are not new at all - they were announced before and not delivered. That doesn’t inspire confidence and doesn’t bode well for the type of ambitious change we need to see."
Deputy O'Rourke added: "It is extraordinary that they think people drowning in debt and facing sky high bills are going to be able to retrofit their homes and buy electric cars."
Labour climate spokesperson Ivana Bacik expressed concern that the Climate Action Plan was "too future focused" and called for a clear timeline for actions that needed to be taken to implement its targets.
Deputy Bacik said: "What is needed now is clear ambition for immediate and urgent action, and for the State to take a lead role in the transformation that is needed for a carbon free future.
"Today is a hopeful day and a positive day. Cop26 has inspired us all but what really matters now is how we put that ambition and inspiration into action."
The Government's Climate Action Plan "lacks the financial firepower that would make it a success", according to Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
She commented: "I hope it is successful, because it is not just the government’s fate that hangs in the balance. All of our lives, and livelihoods, are contingent on success.
"Regrettably, there appears to be no additional public money, other than what has already been announced in the National Development Plan, assigned to the plan."
She said it was "difficult to see how those on low or average incomes will be able to afford the one million electric vehicles the Government say will be on the road by 2030.
"This target was first announced in 2019 and there is nothing new in this plan which suggests there is now a realistic prospect of this target being met."
Ms Whitmore added: "The report has the laudable aim of cutting car journeys by 500,000 a day, through various public transport measures. Yet, the total allocation for Connecting Ireland, a public transport scheme for rural Ireland, next year is a paltry €5.6 million.
"How can such a large target be achieved in the absence of supporting infrastructure and funding?"
