Dr. Diarmuid Torney urges strong parliamentary oversight on climate change
A robust climate action committee in parliament was critical in responding to climate change, Dr Diarmuid Torney told a workshop in Dublin on Thursday, and urged stronger governance by establishing a “permanent Oireachtas committee”.
“I think it would be a shame if it’s a flash in the pan, it reports in January and is dissolved; never to be seen again,” Dr Torney said while adding: “We need strong parliamentary oversight of the executive’s performance on climate change. This could be provided through a permanent Oireachtas committee. It need not be a flash in the pan. Such a permanent committee should be staffed and resourced properly.”
The Oireachtas committee on Climate Action which was established in July is due to be disbanded in January after considering how to implement radical recommendations of the Citizen’s Assembly and reporting on what should be in the National Energy and Climate Plan.
Last year, Ireland was the worst-ranked European country in the annual Climate Change Performance Index. Compared to an EU greenhouse gas reduction target of 20 per cent by 2020, Ireland is projected to reduce emissions by a mere 1 per cent, Dr Torney recently wrote in a report.
Speaking at the the Political Studies Association of Ireland (PSAI) workshop, he said that Ireland's climate governance arrangements were not robust enough compared with other countries, while long-term targets for decarbonisation up to 2050 were not enshrined in law.
"History will not look kindly on politicians of this generation who talk a good game but fail to deliver”, he warned while adding that in reversing the trend of rising emissions, there was a critical need for political leaders “who are willing to spend political capital on climate change."
Dr. Viviane Gravey (QUB) and Dr. Conor Little (UL), co-convenors of the Environmental Politics Specialist Group of the PSAI, chaired the panels at the event, which was funded by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Political Studies Association of Ireland. The speakers also included Dr. Maud Borie from King's College London, Dr. Alina Averchenkova from LSE Grantham Institute, and Erica Hope from European Climate Foundation. Prof. John FitzGerald of Climate Change Advisory Council delivered the final remarks.
The seminar was also mentioned by Senator Victor Boyhan in the Seanad last week in a debate on the government's climate change Annual Transition Statement, transcript of which can be read here.