Five Years On: Ireland's Landmark Climate Law Must Be Defended, Says Friends of the Earth

Environmental and social justice organisation marks anniversary of Climate Act by warning Government is undermining the very law it once hailed as historic

Five years after Ireland's landmark Climate Act transformed the country's approach to tackling climate change, Friends of the Earth today celebrated the extraordinary people-powered campaign that secured the legislation while warning that the Government is now drastically weakening the framework it created.

Signed into law by former President Michael D. Higgins on 23 July 2021, the Climate Act replaced voluntary political commitments with a legally binding framework requiring successive governments to reduce emissions and work towards climate neutrality. It established legally binding emissions targets, carbon budgets, sectoral emissions ceilings and strengthened accountability across Government and public bodies.

The legislation was the culmination of a 16-year campaign led by Friends of the Earth, Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and other environmental groups involving ten Climate Bills introduced in the Oireachtas and the sustained efforts of thousands of supporters across Ireland. An academic review later described the law as being "in the realms of international best practice."

Speaking today Deirdre Duffy, CEO Friends of the Earth Ireland said,

Five years ago, Ireland showed what is possible when ordinary people organise together for progressive change. The Climate Act fundamentally changed how climate policy is made in Ireland by making climate action a legal obligation rather than a political choice. We know from successive opinion polls that Irish people worry about climate change and want the Government to do more - and faster. [1] 

But anniversaries are not only about looking back. Today, this Government risks undermining the very framework it once described as one of the most important pieces of legislation in the history of the State. The Climate Act only works if governments respect and implement it.

Friends of the Earth said the anniversary comes at a critical moment, pointing to recent Government decisions to disapply key provisions of the Climate Act across several major pieces of legislation, including proposals relating to gas (LNG) infrastructure, Dublin Airport passenger cap and critical infrastructure. The organisation also criticised the limited Oireachtas scrutiny afforded to these Bills and warned that Ireland risks locking itself into higher emissions while weakening democratic oversight.

The organisation also highlighted wider failures to fully implement the Climate Act, including continued expansion of energy-intensive data centres [2] and delays in reducing dependence on fossil fuels through home energy upgrades and clean heating. 

Despite these concerns, Friends of the Earth said the anniversary is ultimately a reminder of the power of collective action.

Duffy continued, 

History shows that lasting political change happens when people come together and organise. Europe is the fastest warming continent on earth [3] which in real terms means more frequent and stronger heatwaves and more intense flooding. Ireland is in the eye of the storm when it comes to climate breakdown and communities across the country are coming together to demand more of the Government and political decision makers. 

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to fully uphold the Climate Act, strengthen implementation of its legally binding obligations and ensure future legislation is subject to proper democratic scrutiny and robust climate assessments. 

Notes: 

• The Climate Act 2021 was signed into law on 23 July 2021.

• The Act introduced:

  • A legally binding climate neutrality objective by 2050.

  • A legally binding target to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030.

  • Five-year economy-wide carbon budgets.

  • Sectoral emissions ceilings.

  • Annual Climate Action Plans.

  • Stronger statutory duties on Ministers and public bodies.

  • Enhanced Oireachtas oversight of climate action.

[1] A large majority of people in Ireland (81%) are worried about climate change, including 34% who describe themselves as “very worried”. https://www.ipsosbanda.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Climate-Change-in-the-Irish-Mind-Wave-2-Report-1.pdf and https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/press/new-poll-shows-fianna-fail-and-fine-gael-voters-want-more-cl/ and https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-eiigcc/environmentalindicatorsireland2025-globalcontextandclimate/. 

[2] https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/news/the-cost-of-data-centre-growth-in-ireland-households-paid-an-estimated-715-million-more-in-electrici/

[3] https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/global-and-european-temperatures