What's the news?
An investment of €160,000 by Inland Fisheries Ireland organisation will see the addition of four new electric vehicles to its fleet. The move, according to a spokesperson, will lead to a 24 per cent reduction in the organisation's CO2 emissions.
Project Officers will use the four Hyundai Kona Electric cars in the organisation's National Strategy for Angling Development's (NSAD) https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/national-strategy-for-angling-development/607-nationalstrategyforanglingdevelopment/file.html Project Management Office. It works with angling clubs and community groups around the country helping to develop the fisheries resource.
Speaking at the announcement, Sean Cannery TD, Minister for Natural Resources, said: "This initiative by Inland Fisheries Ireland clearly demonstrates the ambition by all stakeholders to reduce emissions. It is the first step in de-carbonising our transport and sets an example for all other State and Semi-State companies and agencies to follow."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: "I am pleased that Inland Fisheries Ireland is setting a really positive example by switching to a more carbon friendly fleet. As a country, we all need to do more to tackle climate action, so it is important to see our public bodies taking the lead. We will all need to make adjustments to how we live and how we get around; these cars will send a positive message, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the organisation."
Anything else?
It is hoped that more national fleets will increase the number of electric vehicles in use. At present, the number of electric vehicles owned and used by government agencies remains very small in comparison to the overall fleet size.
Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: "The energy reduction target of 33 per cent by 2020 is an opportunity to refocus the philosophy of our organisation. As an environmental agency, we are very aware of the critical nature of climate change and the impact it is having on our fisheries resource. We are looking at every aspect of our work to see how we can reduce our environmental footprint. The move to 'green' vehicles is just one of many changes which we are making to ensure we reduce our overall emissions.