In August 2026, the Centre for Environmental Justice responded to the public consultation on the next update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP).

With 2026 EPA projections showing that Ireland is likely to significantly exceed its 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, this update to the CAP, although delayed, comes at a critical juncture.  

In creating CAP 2026, the Government has the opportunity to close the gap to its climate targets in a way that equitably addresses the cost-of-living crisis caused by fossil fuel reliance. 

In our submission, we recommended that the Government:

1. Increase the Climate Action Plan’s alignment with Carbon Budgets,
2. Prioritise decarbonisation measures that equitably address the cost-of-living crisis,
3. Address sources of high greenhouse gas emissions,
4. Ensure the Climate Action Plan’s compliance with the Aarhus Convention,
5. Address barriers to achieving climate targets,
6. Integrate just transition principles into the Plan,
7. Accelerate climate adaptation.