The Last Word with Matt Cooper Did The Government Ignore The Climate Crisis In Budget 2026?
Oct 9, 2025
John Gibbons, an insightful environmental commentator, explores the shortcomings of Ireland's Budget 2026 concerning climate action. He discusses how climate issues were notably absent from budget speeches, criticizing government backtracking on EU climate obligations. Gibbons challenges the climate minister’s controversial support for airport expansion and raises concerns about the diversion of climate funds for biomethane projects. He also debates the implications of flight regulations on global emissions and the EU's labeling of plant-based products, calling it a harmful populist distraction.
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Carbon Tax As The Primary Climate Tool
- Ireland uses an annually increasing carbon tax set to reach €100/tonne by 2030 as its main emissions-price mechanism.
- The policy's goal is to make high-emission activities pricier and fund low-carbon alternatives.
Climate Retreat In Budget Rhetoric
- John Gibbons argues the Budget speeches effectively removed climate from the political agenda after the Greens left government.
- He sees recent rhetoric as clear backpedalling by ministers previously vocal on climate.
Ministers Downplay EU Penalty Risks
- Ministers are downplaying EU penalty estimates for missed climate targets as speculative, signalling political unwillingness to accept consequences.
- That messaging suggests a broader push to avoid strict enforcement of 2030 climate obligations.