Ireland Faces Major Shortfall Meeting Legal Recycling Targets

Ireland faces significant challenges in meeting its legally binding recycling targets, needing to recycle an additional 400,000 tonnes of waste annually as current rates lag behind goals, with only 42% of municipal waste recycled versus a 55% target. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights excessive packaging waste and increasing waste generation outpacing recycling capacity, emphasizing the need for investment in recycling infrastructure and reducing waste exports abroad. In Australia, the Climate Change and Energy Minister supports the safeguard mechanism targeting major emitters to cut greenhouse gas emissions, noting reductions equivalent to two-thirds of Australian aviation emissions in its first year, while discussions continue about potentially lowering emission thresholds to include more facilities. However, Australia's ambitious renewable energy goals, aiming for 82% renewables by 2030, face setbacks due to slow project approvals and capacity additions, with projections suggesting only 65% renewables by decade's end, despite substantial government funding initiatives to accelerate clean energy deployment. Meanwhile, the European Union plans to finalize its new climate target soon, aiming to present an updated climate plan by the November climate talks in Brazil, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance climate policies internationally.