CIARAN KING.
Sir, - Ireland now has the dubious distinction of being the EU's leading pre-capita emitter of greenhouse gases. At 17 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person per year, we out-belch our nearest rival, Belgium, by over 2 tonnes.
The EU's Kyoto target is to reduce its emissions by 8 per cent from 1990 levels by 2008-2012. Ireland's agreed contribution to this target is to limit the growth in our emissions to 13 per cent in the same period. However, our emissions have already soared to 24 per cent over 1990 levels. Meanwhile, the EU as a whole is on course to achieve its target, despite Ireland's flatulence.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development takes place in Johannesburg next month. Perhaps this will focus the minds of our politicians on the need for Ireland to pull its weight in international efforts to tackle climate change. - Yours, etc.,
CIARAN KING, Croydon Green, Marino, Dublin 3.