Researchers urge the Government to ensure independent, transparent evidence and consideration of clean energy alternatives
A group of senior energy and climate academics, including MaREI’s Hannah Daly, James Carton and Vikram Pakrashi have written to An Taoiseach urging the Government to ensure independent, transparent evidence and consideration of clean energy alternatives informs any decision on LNG infrastructure.
MaREI’s Hannah Daly from University College Cork discussed the letter on RTE’s Morning Ireland. Listen back here.
The letter highlights key research showing that:
-
- Ireland’s natural gas demand is set to decline rapidly under planned policies, and ought to decline even faster to meet our legislated carbon budgets
- LNG, particularly from fracked gas, has severe climate impacts—potentially worse than coal.
- Clean energy solutions could offer a viable, secure alternative, as seen across Europe post-Ukraine invasion.
- LNG investments risk becoming stranded assets, with Europe’s LNG terminal utilisation now below 50%.
It calls on the Government to consider this before making any decision that could deepen Ireland’s fossil fuel dependence and jeopardise our climate commitments.
