Today, there is a growing acceptance that issues like climate change and water pollution affect all of us: ‘business as usual’ is no longer an option. We need stronger international cooperation as well as effective domestic measures if we are going to succeed in protecting our environment. The Lisbon Treaty aims to do just that.

The Lisbon Treaty makes great strides in protection and improvement of our environment. In addition to general provisions on the environment, the Treaty also contains measures on climate change and energy policy. Under the Lisbon Treaty, protection and improvement of the environment and sustainable development would become underlying values, not just within the EU but also in its relations with the wider world (Article 3, TEU). This article is also significant in that it contains the objective of “improvement of the quality of the environment”, rather than just preservation of the environment, for the first time. But the Lisbon Treaty goes even further than this. Adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights would make “a high level of environmental protection” a fundamental right of EU citizens.

The Irish government fought for a direct reference to climate change in the Lisbon Treaty and thanks to their efforts, combating climate change will be an explicit objective of the European Union (Article 191, TFEU). The global nature of climate change demands strong international cooperation and the insertion of this clause provides the legal basis for greater collaboration both among Member States and with other countries and regions.

Unfortunately, it is now inevitable that some effects of climate change will be felt around the world, particularly in vulnerable areas. As a result, it is just as important to adapt to climate change as it is to try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat, recently stated that climate change will lead to an increase in floods, heat waves, droughts and storms. Evidence is also emerging that increased levels of greenhouse gases may also affect the geology of the Earth, potentially resulting in earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and volcanic eruptions. Not good. Consequently, the provisions in articles 21 (TEU) and articles 122, 196, 214 and 222 (TFEU) of the Lisbon Treaty that relate to assisting with natural or man-made disasters are crucial. These changes will allow the EU to coordinate responses to natural disasters and will go a long way in protecting some of the most vulnerable people in the world, like people living in low-lying areas and regions in danger of malaria outbreaks.

Climate change is inextricably linked with energy. In 2007, 86% of the EU’s greenhouse gases were energy-related. The biggest change that the Lisbon Treaty brings about is shared responsibility of energy policy between Member States and the Union. As with climate change, energy is a policy best pursued at an international level and this argument becomes even stronger for smaller countries like Ireland. As part of the EU, Ireland gains a greater voice and control over important issues such as security of energy supply and coordination of EU efforts on improving the environmental record of energy generation.

The Lisbon Treaty will ensure that energy policy is enacted “with regard for the need to preserve and improve the environment” (Article 194, TFEU), thus underlining the need to reduce all energy-related environmental damage, including greenhouse gas emissions, other forms of air pollution and fossil fuel extraction. And the Treaty goes even further, setting out the promotion of energy efficiency and energy savings as significant elements of energy policy. Needless to say, progress in energy efficiency goes hand in hand with the fight against climate change.

Finally, the Lisbon Treaty empowers the EU to draw up legislation for the continued development of renewable sources of energy. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy recently stated that Ireland has the largest wind and tidal energy resources in all of Europe. The capture of this energy is an incredible opportunity for Ireland, not only for the environment but also for our economy and jobs market. Green-collar jobs will be created in areas such as the design and construction of wind turbines and smart electricity networks.

Under article 194 of Lisbon, the electricity grid will become more connected with other national grids, allowing us to export energy when we have a surplus. Greater interconnection is crucial for the success of renewable energies because the larger the grid, the easier it is to level out the peaks and dips in supply that are inherent in renewable energies. The Lisbon Treaty recognises how important this is for a successful renewable energy strategy.

Ireland is not going to solve environmental issues like climate change and renewable energy by itself. We can have a bigger impact and a bigger voice as part of the EU than we ever could alone. The EU is leading the world in environmental protection, climate change and renewable energy generation. The Lisbon Treaty gives the EU the tools to strengthen these roles and continue our work towards a high level of environmental protection, while equipping Ireland to take advantage of jobs and growth in the green economy.

Is fiú agus is féidir. Let’s start: VOTE YES.