People Before Profit and climate campaigners call for cross party support of Climate Emergency Bill at banner drop in Dublin

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit       01/07/2018

Bill will be scrutinised at the Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment on Tuesday

Bill would ban the issuing of new licences for fossil fuel exploration

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has called on the parties in the Dáil to support her Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 as it goes to committee stage this Tuesday.

The TD was speaking at a ‘Keep it in the Ground’ banner drop at the Wooden Bridge on Bull Island.

People Before Profit we joined by climate campaigners Not Here, Not Anywhere and Stop Climate Chaos at the unveiling of the banner.

The Bill would categorize the levels of Co2 in the atmosphere as an emergency and stop the government from issuing any new licences for the exploration of fossil fuels. Costa Rica, Belize and France have already implemented similar measures.

Brid Smith said: “The science is quite clear on the fact that to avoid a massive climate disaster we need to keep 80% of know fossil fuel reserves in the ground. This bill would do that.

“This is only the first small step in the fight against climate change but it is an important one as it would send a message around the world. Ireland needs to show the world that we are taking climate change seriously and are willing to take the action needed to combat it. This bill would be a line in the sand for the world which would demonstrate that 80% of fossil fuels need to remain in the ground if we are to limit temperature increases and meet our climate obligations under the Paris treaty.”

“Leo Varadkar called Ireland a laggard regarding action on climate change. With this bill we have an opportunity to take the lead on a global level with countries like France, Costa Rica and Belize who have already introduced similar measures.

“We know that we need to keep 80% of known fossil fuel resources in the ground if we are to fight climate change. The measures contained in this bill are modest and are in line with the government’s policy.”

“The Dáil committee will begin detailed scrutiny of my Climate Emergency Measures Bill on Tuesday next.

“Time is running out for us, this Bill is a chance to send a signal that fossil fuels use must be drastically reduced, instead the recent BP report shows global Co2 emissions are rising. More radical action is desperately needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.”

Ends

Contact- Bríd Smith TD- 087 909 0166

Nick Lee (Press Officer)- 087 615 6473