Ireland at economic risk if infrastructure not updated, say Chambers Ireland

Chambers Ireland has published its submission on the update of the Climate Action Plan, warning that Ireland risks missing many of the economic benefits of the climate transition unless it accelerates delivery of the infrastructure needed to support it.

Chief Executive Ian Talbot said that major constraints around energy, water and wastewater, and transport infrastructure continue to impede Ireland’s progress towards its climate targets:

“Climate action is intrinsic to our competitiveness. In the past there was a broad expectation that the carbon budget framework would help accelerate the infrastructure and investment needed to support the transition but many of those benefits have yet to materialise.”

Talbot said “what we need is systemic change. Making sure this materialises will require multiannual funding for utilities while fixing the capacity issues and bottlenecks that exist in the planning system.”

He added “businesses are ready to support the transition, but the pace of infrastructure development has to match the scale of our climate ambitions. The longer projects take to move to become operational, the longer businesses and consumers must wait for the benefits in terms of greater affordability and economic opportunity.”

“Every delay postpones lower energy costs, greater energy independence and the significant economic opportunities that renewable energy projects can bring at both local and national level,” Talbot said.