Inland Fisheries Ireland welcomes Climate Action Plan
Inland Fisheries Ireland welcomes Climate Action Plan
Monday, 17th of June 2019: Inland Fisheries Ireland has welcomed the Government’s Climate Action Plan to tackle climate disruption which has been published this afternoon. The plan, which contains 180 actions to ensure Ireland will meet its 2030 targets for carbon emissions, also sets out how Ireland will achieve a net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The plan looks at every sector including the public sector with all public bodies set to receive a new climate action mandate to prioritise climate action. Earlier this year, Inland Fisheries Ireland introduced energy efficient vehicles with a view to achieving a 24 per cent reduction in the C02 emissions from its fleet.
With 5,600 kilometres of coastline, 70,000 kilometres of rivers and streams and 144,000 hectares of lakes and ponds, Inland Fisheries Ireland’s 300 staff use vehicles to allow them to carry out their work. In addition to moving to energy efficient vehicles, the organisation has implemented a fleet management system to generate additional efficacies and to ensure the fleet is being used in the most appropriate manner and that driver safety remains a priority.
Inland Fisheries Ireland's electric cars at Government Buildings.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “This new national plan, together with a new mandate for the public sector offers an opportunity to refocus the philosophy of our organisation. As an environmental agency, we are very aware of the critical nature of climate change and the impact it is having on our fisheries resource. We are looking at every aspect of our work to see how we can reduce our environmental footprint.
The move to ‘green’ vehicles is just one of many changes which we are making to ensure we reduce our overall emissions. We are carrying out audits on our largest energy consuming premises and when it comes to fisheries protection, we are looking to see how we can patrol in a truly efficient manner. We are reducing our consumption by 50 per cent on sea patrols by introducing new state of the art RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) for use as fisheries protection vessels and we are also carrying out patrols via kayaks and bicycles. We are at a crossroads when it comes to climate change and this plan provides us with a framework to help us make the right choices and build a sustainable future.”
For more about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .
ENDS
For Media Information:
Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: (01) 8842673 / 087 099 5038
About Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.
