The Green Party has asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael if both parties would commit to a national land use plan and said any Government formation involving the Greens will need “radical action” on biodiversity loss.
On Thursday, the party set out 17 questions it wants answered by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, before any talks on a future Government between all three parties can begin.
In terms of emissions, any potential Government formation involving the Green Party will need to set out “clear and ambitious targets and timetables in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions”, it says.
Changes
The party said this will require enormous changes in the country’s approach to capital expenditure on transport, in energy systems, in agricultural practices, and in how we all live our lives.
“The target set out in January 2020 by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action of a minimum targeted reduction of 7%+ per annum, in accordance with the best available scientific advice and our commitments under the Paris Agreement, should be adhered to and exceeded.
“Will you commit to an average annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 7%?” it asked.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. \ Finbarr O'Rourke
Radical action
The party also said that any potential government formation involving the Green Party will need to undertake “radical and ambitious action on biodiversity loss and the collapse of our ecosystems”.
Specifically, the party highlights “how we manage our agricultural lands, what foods we produce, where and what trees we plant, and which areas we rewet and re-wild – these will all determine the future fortunes of our biodiversity”.
The integration of the country’s farming, rural and coastal communities into this new landscape will be vital in terms of rural regeneration, it said.
“A significant reform of Irish agri-food policy is needed, not only to meet our emissions targets and to improve our natural environment, but to help build resilient rural economies,” it said.
National land use plan
“Central to meeting both our climate and biodiversity objectives will also be the establishment of a national land use plan.
“Such a plan will set out how rural communities can thrive in conjunction with the restoration of biodiversity, a reduction in emissions, improved water quality and flood protection, lower nitrogen and ammonia levels, a switch to closer-to-nature 'continuous cover' forestry and rebuilding a vibrant family farming sector.
“A Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity is a welcome initiative and would inform the development of such a land use plan,” it said.
Forestry
The party said that while it recognises the commitment in the joint framework document to increasing tree planting, it feels this falls short of what is necessary.
“In expanding our afforestation ambitions, we must also ensure that we not only support the forestry sector, but at the same time respect the wishes of our communities, and factor in the ecological and amenity value of our woodlands, by planting the right trees in the right places.”
In this context, the party asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael if both would “commit to the development of a national land use plan which will inform both the new national economic plan and the new social contract?”
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The Green Party has asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael if both parties would commit to a national land use plan and said any Government formation involving the Greens will need “radical action” on biodiversity loss.
On Thursday, the party set out 17 questions it wants answered by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, before any talks on a future Government between all three parties can begin.
In terms of emissions, any potential Government formation involving the Green Party will need to set out “clear and ambitious targets and timetables in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions”, it says.
Changes
The party said this will require enormous changes in the country’s approach to capital expenditure on transport, in energy systems, in agricultural practices, and in how we all live our lives.
“The target set out in January 2020 by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action of a minimum targeted reduction of 7%+ per annum, in accordance with the best available scientific advice and our commitments under the Paris Agreement, should be adhered to and exceeded.
“Will you commit to an average annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 7%?” it asked.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. \ Finbarr O'Rourke
Radical action
The party also said that any potential government formation involving the Green Party will need to undertake “radical and ambitious action on biodiversity loss and the collapse of our ecosystems”.
Specifically, the party highlights “how we manage our agricultural lands, what foods we produce, where and what trees we plant, and which areas we rewet and re-wild – these will all determine the future fortunes of our biodiversity”.
The integration of the country’s farming, rural and coastal communities into this new landscape will be vital in terms of rural regeneration, it said.
“A significant reform of Irish agri-food policy is needed, not only to meet our emissions targets and to improve our natural environment, but to help build resilient rural economies,” it said.
National land use plan
“Central to meeting both our climate and biodiversity objectives will also be the establishment of a national land use plan.
“Such a plan will set out how rural communities can thrive in conjunction with the restoration of biodiversity, a reduction in emissions, improved water quality and flood protection, lower nitrogen and ammonia levels, a switch to closer-to-nature 'continuous cover' forestry and rebuilding a vibrant family farming sector.
“A Citizens’ Assembly on biodiversity is a welcome initiative and would inform the development of such a land use plan,” it said.
Forestry
The party said that while it recognises the commitment in the joint framework document to increasing tree planting, it feels this falls short of what is necessary.
“In expanding our afforestation ambitions, we must also ensure that we not only support the forestry sector, but at the same time respect the wishes of our communities, and factor in the ecological and amenity value of our woodlands, by planting the right trees in the right places.”
In this context, the party asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael if both would “commit to the development of a national land use plan which will inform both the new national economic plan and the new social contract?”
Read more
Land grab by the next Government will be resisted by the IFA
Analysis: little mention of farming in government talks
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