Chambers Ireland warns that energy, water and transport bottlenecks are slowing Ireland’s climate transition and limiting economic opportunities.
Ireland’s climate ambitions are being constrained by critical infrastructure bottlenecks, Chambers Ireland has warned.
Delays across energy, water, wastewater and transport networks threaten to undermine both climate targets and economic competitiveness, the business group 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”
In its submission to the Government’s update of the Climate Action Plan, Chambers Ireland said that unless delivery of key infrastructure is accelerated, Ireland risks missing out on many of the economic benefits associated with the transition to a low carbon economy.
Urgency needed
Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot said that climate action and economic competitiveness are closely linked. He called for greater urgency in addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges.
“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 Ireland requires a more coordinated approach to infrastructure delivery, supported by long-term funding commitments and reforms to address planning delays.
“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 said that businesses are prepared to play their part in supporting the transition to a greener economy.
However, he stress that infrastructure development must progress at a pace that matches national climate ambitions.
“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 warned.
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