Solar Nation

As an Island nation the energy debate is centre stage against a back ground of rising energy costs, dwindling re-sources and alarm over long term security of supply. We must now move away from our dependency on fossil fuels to a more renewable source of energy.

To start our focus on solar energy let’s take a look at what we are signed up to this document is called the Kyoto Protocol.

Kyoto Protocol

In 1997 the Kyoto Protocol: was agreed as voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission under the UNFCCC had proved inadequate. The Protocol commits industrialized or developed countries to reduce their combined emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by at least 5% compared to below 1990 levels by the first commitment period 2008-2012. Ireland's target is to limit the increase in the basket of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol to +13% over 1990 levels by 2008-2012. .The protocol came into force on 16 February 2005. As of August 2005, The Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by 154 countries and international organizations and is widely seen as a first step in deeper and broader action to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the rest of this century. All 25 EU member states and the European Community are Parties to the Protocol.