Our Submission to DECC Consultation on Proposed Carbon Budgets 3 and 4

Friends of the Earth's response to the carbon budgets proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) and consulted upon by the Department.

The core message of this submission is that, given the serious risks posed exceeding 1.5°C poses, it is imperative for Carbon Budgets 3 and 4 to align with Ireland’s fair share of the global effort to meet the 1.5°C goal. These budgets must provide a high likelihood of staying within this limit, with no overshoot. This approach should reflect the precautionary principle, which demands greater stringency in light of the dangers associated with surpassing the threshold. If the Minister and the Government endorse the currently proposed approach to determining Ireland’s fair share it is likely that they will be acting in a manner inconsistent with their national and international legal duties.