Government ‘must get behind’ carbon target

Government and its agencies will have to cooperate to help the new target for 40% of electricity to come from renewables by 2020, a minister has said.


Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan warned government departments and agencies that they will have to work to meet the target set earlier this week.

He said: “It behoves all state agencies, the regulator, the sustainable energy office and other departments to row in on a co-ordinated approach to meet those targets.”

Environment Minister John Gormley announced the target, which was raised from 30%, as part of his carbon budget.

He also revealed that carbon emissions had dropped by 1% in 2006 compared to 2007.

Europe has agreed for 20% of electricity to be generated by renewable means.

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