Met Council warns: Ireland faces most challenging winter in a generation

The Climate Change Advisory Council is calling on the Government to take "swift and decisive" action to support households and communities manage rising energy costs facing into "one of the most challenging winters in a generation".

Publishing its annual review for 2022, the group said Ireland's dependence on fossil fuels is a "root cause" of high energy costs, in addition to the current supply instability due to the war in Ukraine.

The council said the transition to "more affordable, clean and secure energy must be urgently progressed", while the Government must "focus on measures that can be immediately deployed to assist those most in need in the coming months and in the years ahead".

"The development of the grid and the process of planning and consenting must move forward quickly since offshore wind will be a key component of the low-carbon transition. At both the national and municipal levels, there must be strong political and policy backing for the quick supply of renewable resources "declared the group.

The most vulnerable members of society must be safeguarded as winter approaches, the council declared, "especially those receiving the winter fuel allowance and those residing in the worst performing structures."

The installation of attic insulation, draught-proofing, routine boiler maintenance, installing heating controls, and streamlining the application process for grants are just a few examples of measures that can be implemented right away that will have a big impact, according to the council's chair Marie Donnelly.

"These affordable and simple solutions can help needy homes in the short term, improving people's health, wellbeing, and energy expenses," she continued.

Ms. Donnelly also demanded that the government maintain and expand the lower public transportation fare levels that were previously announced earlier this year as part of a package of initiatives to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis.

The Department of Transportation announced on Monday that commercial transportation providers will also offer discounted prices for those under 24.

The council stated that the future National Climate Action Plan must establish a clear roadmap for all sectors to meet their climate change goals in response to the Government's sectoral climate targets, which were issued in July.

In its final evaluation for the year, the council concluded that the State "is not adequately prepared," and Ms. Donnelly added: "Recent extreme weather events around the world, such as droughts and floods, show that the impacts of climate change are immediate and require urgent action in regard to mitigation and adaptation.

"While government investment must increase with unambiguous and targeted plans in place, business, civic and community organisations can and must play a pivotal role in supporting people to overcome the current energy crisis and in helping Ireland to deliver on its climate obligations."