Two renewable energy industry associations and several environmental NGOs have called for a “step-change in Government investment in environmental capacity” at both state and civil society level to address the biodiversity and climate crises.
A joint pre-Budget statement from Wind Energy Ireland and the Irish Solar Energy Association, along with environmental NGOs, calls for a range of targeted measures to support an environmentally sound transition to a zero-carbon power system.
The NGOs are An Taisce, Birdwatch Ireland, Friends of the Earth, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, and the Irish Wildlife Trust.
“lack of environmental capacity in state agencies”
“Substantially increased resources are needed at all levels of Government and in environmental NGOs to accelerate the energy transition while protecting nature,” they say.
They criticise a “lack of environmental capacity in state agencies”, which they claim to be undermining renewables objectives and compliance with environmental law.
A lack of resources among NGOs means they are often prevented from substantially engaging in the planning and development process, they state.
The joint statement calls for, among other actions:
*An increase in funding for relevant departments and agencies and a fast-track recruitment process for key state bodies that are critical for delivering a zero-carbon electricity system and protecting and restoring nature, to ensure that they have enough ecologists, for example, to progress their work in a timely fashion.
*The establishment of a dedicated Climate and Nature Restoration Fund from windfall corporation taxes to finance climate and nature infrastructural and capital investments, including nature-based solutions.
*The introduction of a dedicated new funding stream to support training and upskilling of existing staff in public bodies involved in carrying out an environmental impact assessment.
*The allocation of at least €7 million in 2024 to help reach the target of fully protecting 10% of Ireland’s ocean and seas and at least €55 million to support longer-term designation of Marine Protected Areas and ongoing management until 2030.
*The establishment of a new funding stream for science and research-focused conservation organisations to enable them to fund staff posts so that they can meaningfully engage in ecological research, active conservation, infrastructure consultation and planning processes.
*An increase in annual funding to the Irish Environmental Network by €1 million to improve the ability of environmental NGOs to engage in environmental planning and policy.
