This article is from page 3 of the 2007-05-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE Midwest could be staring down the barrel of a €42 million bill for polluting unless we clean up our act.
A leading renewable energy asso- ciation has claimed that the Midwest is living beyond its means, in terms of its impact on the environment.
Renewable Energy Skills (RES) has based the claim on figures from the European Environment Agency showing that Ireland currently has a carbon footprint of 5.0 global hec-
tares per person, more than double the global average.
The ecological footprint or carbon footprint is an environmental ac- counting tool that measures the land area required to support an individ- ual, business, community or nation, providing for its needs and absorb- ing its wastes.
It is quantified by calculating the land area required to produce the re- sources needed and dispose safely of wastes produced.
Cllr Johnny Flynn, Chairperson of RES and Ennis town councillor said
that “energy emissions in Clare are above the Kyoto target by 300,000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide.
“This figure could rise to over 490,000 tonnes by 2010 leaving the county to face a bill of over €17 mil- lion in carbon levy.”
Meanwhile, Limerick county and city energy emissions are above the Kyoto target by 409,000 tonnes of CO2. By 2010, Limerick could be 713,000 tonnes over and face a bill of over €25 million in carbon levy.”
Meanwhile, the Limerick Clare Energy Agency, said that a number
of target actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions were included in the recently launched Government White Paper.
“Some of the targets for renewable energy production will be well with- in the abilities of coastal counties such as Limerick and Clare,’ said Pat Stephens, Manger of LCEA.
Mr Stephens, who has worked in building services design and energy management for more than 15 years and in the construction industry for more than 25 years, added, “to achieve our national targets, some
local targets will have to be more ambitious.
‘This includes the provision of bio- mass firing at Moneypoint generat- ing station by 2010 and ten per cent biofuels penetration by 2020.”
Other targets outlined by the Lim- erick Clare Energy Agency include the use of Pure Plant Oil (PPO) in local authority and public bodies ve- hicle fleets, a review of the National Building Regulations in 2008 and the introduction of smart metres for all electricity consumers over next five years.