Brian Crowley - Response to European election questions

Thank you for your e-mail of 13th May last. I could not agree with you more. Addressing climate change is one of the key challenges of our times. It is an exciting time to be working in the European Parliament, where we are bringing in legislation on energy, climate change, and emissions. This is not an easy task, however. There are different points of view and different interest involved. For climate change policies to succeed we need to work together and all sectors of society and all countries, developing and developed.

I believe that we should push for ambitious climate change goals and emissions targets. However, it is not enough to throw out numbers and applaud ourselves for our ambition. We have to make sure that we have the structures in place to meet our goals. The EU is adopting a comprehensive approach, combining regulation, incentives and information and awareness. I believe that policy-makers have to work together with interest groups and communities to ensure that these messages are permeating through our community. To succeed, to achieve the ambitious goals we wish to set ourselves we have to change both mindsets and practices. This is a particular challenge at this time, when the economic crisis has diverted a certain amount of attention from climate change problems and from our goals of sustainability and efficiency to immediate financial and economic concerns. This is a real test for us as individuals and as policy-makers. We cannot afford to postpone addressing climate changes concerns, and environmental goals and targets cannot be policies for times of economic prosperity alone. Climate change concerns should be central in all policy planning.

Furthermore, I do not think that climate change goals and economic interest are in anyway mutually exclusive. In fact, quite the opposite. There is huge scope for job creation in green technology and in environmental research and development. In Ireland we owe a huge amount of our economic development over the past twenty years to the fact that we have an educated and technologically innovative and able workforce. I believe that future growth will be built on the same basis. The legislation that we are working on at a European level will necessitate developments in technology and techniques, and Ireland can be to the forefront in addressing this demand. I am very involved in getting funding for Irish research and development projects and in encouraging links between Irish companies and innovators and their European counterparts and will continue to support and encourage green innovation and job creation.

A transition to low carbon lifestyles needs incentive and pressure, and a coordinated approach. For example, in Ireland we have tied VRT to CO2 emissions and at an EU level we are introducing legislation that will fine car manufacturers for exceeding certain emissions levels. Therefore, we are providing incentive to consumers to buy more efficient cars and are fining manufacturers who make inefficient cars. We have to make sure that it makes sense to people to go low-carbon - morally, practically and economically. As you say in your letter, a low-carbon future is unavoidable. We have to work together to get that message across and to bring a smooth transition about sooner rather than later. Everyday consumers, business and policy-makers are making choices that are bringing us closer to a low carbon lifestyle.

Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch with me and I wish you and your organisation the best of luck.