The European Commission has warned the Irish government that Ireland is on track to fail to reach pollution targets due this year and under-funding environmental policies to the tune of billions of Euro.
The Environmental Implementation Review published by the European Commission includes recommendations for all 27 member states.
The EU says the report is aimed to “supports environmental enforcement and raises awareness about the importance of EU environmental rules to ensure prosperity, competitiveness and environmental security in the European Union.”
The costs of non-implementation of EU environmental laws through air and water pollution, nature degradation and waste are estimated at €180 billion per year.
On its specific concerns about Ireland, the European Commission warns that:
- Ireland is at risk of missing the target for plastic packaging waste recycling, as well as the 2025 targets for municipal waste recycling.
- Ireland’s biodiversity is at risk: There is a “dramatic decline of waders, particularly the curlew and dunlin, and the insufficient protection of the hen harrier.”
- “Urban wastewater collected in Ireland is not being properly treated as required by EU law”
- Ireland must comply with an EU court ruling to “ensure that the level of trihalomethanes (THMs) in all of its drinking water supply zones is at safe levels.”
- “The current investment gap in Ireland stands at an estimated €3.3 billion per year, representing 0.66% of national GDP, lower than the EU average (0.77%).”
Ireland is not alone in under-funding environmental policies. The report reveals that all 27 member states should “use more national funding (for instance by increasing taxes in favour of the environment and reducing environmentally harmful subsidies), EU funding and private funding to help close the investment gap.”
The European Environment Commissioner, Jessika Roswall, says that putting in the money will prove to be worthwhile.
“Investing in the implementation of environmental law is very good value for money. This is a timely reminder that implementation and competitiveness go hand in hand to protect our environment and the resources we need for the transition and for future generations.”