Halting Climate Change: A Global Challenge – the Response on the Island of Ireland

Professor John Fitzgerald, distinguished economist and former Chair of Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Board, assessed the action needed to address climate change across the island of Ireland, arguing that everyone on the island will have to change their way of living, if both the UK and the EU are to meet the commitments made to achieve zero emissions by 2050. Within the EU there are many different approaches he maintained it would be helpful if the approaches taken in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and GB were consistent. He explored how much of the work will involve significant investment and that financing this investment will pre-empt resources that might be used for other purposes. Tackling climate change in all its manifestations he argues, is the essential work facing all citizens across the island of Ireland and in the generations ahead.