Toireasa Ferris - Responses to European election questions

Do you agree that the world must urgently reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to prevent catastrophic global warming? - YES

Do you support the proposal that the EU should promise aggressive cuts in European emissions in order to achieve international agreement to measures to hold global warming below 2 degrees at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2007? - YES

What will you seek to do to encourage transition to low-carbon lifestyles and economies in Ireland and Europe?

Sinn Fein has consistently supported immediate and radical action on climate change. As a member of the European Parliament's Special Committee on Climate Change, my colleague Bairbre De Brun MEP has played a positive role in shaping Europe's response to the climate crisis. Transition to a low-carbon economy will involve a complex mix of improving energy efficiency, developing alternative energy sources, and changing the way we plan our communities, produce our food, work, shop, and travel. A huge range of specific policy changes will be required to achieve this. The priority at this point must be to set the framework for the transition - by establishing legally binding targets for carbon reduction and investing in renewable energy and energy-saving technology. If we achieve this, entrepeneurs and social innovators alike will be encouraged to popularise the technologies and lifestyle changes that will be our bridge to a low-carbon future. At the same time, we must ensure that the financial burden of the transition will fall on those who can best afford it, not the most vulnerable.

Specifically, if elected to the European Parliament I will: (1) Support binding targets on renewable energy sources so that Ireland can transition to a new energy economy as rapidly as possible. (2) Support legislation at home in Ireland committing the government to cut carbon emissions by 3% annually(3) Support the Copenhagen Pledge on environmental justice for the developing world(4) Work with innovative Irish companies in the green technology and renewables field to help them access EU funds for research and development such as FP7(5) Highlight and support innovative projects for bringing us to a low-carbon future, such as the "Spirit of Ireland" group, the transition towns initiative, and Sustainable Clonakilty's drive to make Clonakilty Ireland's first energy-independent town.