The Green Party has come in third in a new assessment of climate action pledges in party manifestos, behind Labour and the Social Democrats.
The analysis was conducted by UCD’s Earth Institute and commissioned by Friends of the Earth.
Labour received an A grade for their climate action policies, the Social Democrats came in second with an A-, and the Green Party in third with a B.
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On Newstalk Breakfast, UCD professor Cara Augustenborg said the Green Party’s manifesto did not build on the climate actions they had introduced while in government.
“We recognize that the Greens really did help to get Ireland on a track to reducing emissions in this government," she said.
"Unfortunately that wasn't really reflected in their manifesto in terms of going steeper and making sure that our emissions cuts are steeper."
However, Ms Augustenborg said the costings laid out in all party manifestos were very weak.
Air pollution from factory emissions. Picture by: Robert Evans / Alamy Stock PhotoLabour has promised 15 new Luas lines, but allocated only €2.5 billion in funding for public transport, whereas the Greens have promised €10 billion for the sector.
“The costings in general, I would say, are quite inaccurate – but overall, if you look at Labour's manifest, I think the big difference is very, very detailed plans on exactly how they will implement everything from cycling infrastructure to warmer homes,” Ms Augustenborg said.
“The climate really cuts across everything they do.
“The Greens manifesto was still good – they got a B this year, they got a B in the last General Election too – but this time, Labour and the Social Democrats just really went above and beyond in the level of thought that they gave to their manifesto.”
People Before Profit was ranked fourth out of all the parties, receiving a C grade.
