Ireland has declared a climate emergency - becoming just the second country in the world to do so after the UK.
The Dáil backed a motion declaring a climate and biodiversity emergency yesterday evening.
The Fianna Fáil motion passed without a vote after being accepted by government and opposition parties.
Speaking at an EU summit in Romania last night, the Taoiseach said Ireland couldn't back any further climate change pledges as we're still due to miss carbon emission targets in 2030.
Eight European countries have proposed a quarter of the EU's budget be spent tackling climate issues - but Leo Varadkar said Ireland can't sign up to that idea until we meet existing targets: ' We support the intent behind it but we've a difficulty signing up to more targets for 2030. Our CO2 emissions are falling by about 7 percent a year, we still think it will be very difficult for us to meet the 2030 targets'.
Good news at the end of the Dail Motion today supporting the report of the Climate Action Committee, which I chair. We now have cross party support in declaring a climate and biodiversity emergency. Action now needed. #ClimateEmergencyhttps://t.co/XfzgCi0tgw
— Hildegarde Naughton (@1Hildegarde) May 9, 2019
