According to The Journal’s comprehensive fact-check, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald’s recent claim that carbon tax hasn’t reduced Ireland’s emissions has been proven false, revealing a more complex picture of climate policy effectiveness.
The investigation shows that while the original 2010 carbon tax had limited impact, the €7.50 annual increases implemented since 2020 have coincided with significant emissions reductions. Ireland’s emissions have notably fallen to their lowest level since 1990, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directly linking this decrease to reduced fossil fuel usage – a key goal of the carbon tax policy.
Key findings include:
- Emissions dropped 6.8% in 2023, reaching a three-decade low
- Residential emissions fell to their lowest point since 1990
- The EPA attributes these reductions partially to higher fuel prices, which include carbon tax increases
- Multiple experts, including UCC Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir and Maynooth University’s Professor John Sweeney, confirm the tax’s role in reducing emissions
While other factors like milder winters and geopolitical events affecting fuel prices have played a role, recent ESRI research supports the conclusion that carbon taxes have contributed to emissions reductions. The research suggests continued tax increases will lead to “substantial” emissions decline by 2030.
The fact-check acknowledges legitimate concerns about the tax’s impact on vulnerable households but confirms that claiming it hasn’t reduced emissions is incorrect based on available evidence.