14/12/2015

SF Call For Urgent Debate On Paris Climate Change Agreement

Sinn Féin has called for an urgent debate to be held in the Dáil on the Climate Change Agreement reached in Paris.

Party president Gerry Adams described the outcome as "an important step forward. However it still falls far short of what is needed to protect humanity from the growing environmental crises created by climate change."

The Sinn Féin leader said: "States now have to ratify the Paris Agreement and to set out the strategies, including the provision of more renewable energy, that they will adopt to meet the targets that have been set. 

"For example the goal of reducing the global temperature rise to below 2oC and closer to 1.5oC lacks firm commitments and clear deadlines. 

"Developed nations have not stretched themselves far enough; the emissions targets are not ambitious enough; and according to Greenpeace 'have promised too little help to those people who are already losing their lives and livelihoods'.

"Critically, these measures have to be endorsed by state legislatures and governments. 

"Thus far despite a number of requests from me the Taoiseach has refused to give a commitment to hold a debate in the Dáil on the Paris conference. The conclusion of the conference and the agreement reached now means that a debate is essential."

(MH/LM)

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