The latest EPA report shows that Ireland will at best achieve a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is substantially lower than the 51% target. 

It also suggests a backwards step from last year’s projection of 29%, so what is going on? 

In the latest episode of Behind the Story Fran and David pick the brain of RTÉ’s Environment Correspondent George Lee to try figure out why Ireland is so behind. 

And while they have him, they also ask for some advice on things such as EVs, retrofits, solar panels and more. 

The latest EPA report shows that Ireland will at best achieve a 23% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is substantially lower than the 51% target. It also suggests a backwards step from last year’s projection of 29%, so what is going on? In the latest episode of Behind the Story Fran and David pick the brain of RTÉ’s Environment Correspondent George Lee to try figure out why Ireland is so behind. And while they have him, they also ask for some advice on things such as EVs, retrofits, solar panels and more.&nbsp;

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way. 

Email: behindthestory@rte.ie 

New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Tune in for insightful and informed conversation as Fran McNulty, Paul Cunningham and some of RTÉ's top journalists digest the news stories of the day. Expect deep dives, analysis, interesting guests, and maybe even some laughs along the way.&nbsp;Email: <a class="relay-http-link" href="mailto:behindthestory@rte.ie">behindthestory@rte.ie</a>&nbsp;New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Behind the Story

Is Ireland heel-dragging on climate action? 

On Monday, US rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's support acts following comments he made in early September in support of Palestine. Irish artists, Aaron Rowe and Beoga quit the tour in support of Macklemore on Tuesday. Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Paul to explain how this is the biggest controversy facing singer-songwriter ED Sheeran. 

Later, Suzanne Lynch of Bloomberg analyses EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech 

On Monday, US rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's support acts following comments he made in early September in support of Palestine. Irish artists, Aaron Rowe and Beoga quit the tour in support of Macklemore on Tuesday. Arts and Media correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke joins Paul to explain how this is the biggest controversy facing singer-songwriter ED Sheeran.&nbsp;Later, Suzanne Lynch of Bloomberg analyses EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech&nbsp;

Irish acts quit Ed Sheeran tour over 'Free Palestine' row

Golf diplomacy came to the fore this weekend, when President Trump announced he would drop tariffs on Irish whiskey as he presented the Irish Open trophy to Shane Lowry. The dropping of the tariff came as a welcome surprise to the sector. Agriculture and Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Maggie Doyle to discuss the tariff and what's expected dominate the agenda at the Ploughing Championships. 

Later Euronews reporter Shona Murray explains why Canadian Prime Minister is visiting Europe this week in the hope of deepening the relationship with the EU. 

Golf diplomacy came to the fore this weekend, when President Trump announced he would drop tariffs on Irish whiskey as he presented the Irish Open trophy to Shane Lowry. The dropping of the tariff came as a welcome surprise to the sector. Agriculture and Consumer Affairs correspondent Aengus Cox joins Maggie Doyle to discuss the tariff and what's expected dominate the agenda at the Ploughing Championships.&nbsp;Later Euronews reporter Shona Murray explains why Canadian Prime Minister is visiting Europe this week in the hope of deepening the relationship with the EU.&nbsp;

All hail Lowry, whiskey tariffs no more! 

'A damp white loaf' that's how Colum McCann describes US President Donald Trump who arrives in Ireland this weekend. Colum joins Fran to discuss the anniversay of 9/11 and how America has changed since 2001. Colum, who lives in New York with his family shares his thoughts on Mayor Zohran Mamdani, JD Vance and why he remains positive when he thinks about the future of American politics. 

'A damp white loaf' that's how Colum McCann describes US President Donald Trump who arrives in Ireland this weekend. Colum joins Fran to discuss the anniversay of 9/11 and how America has changed since 2001. Colum, who lives in New York with his family shares his thoughts on Mayor Zohran Mamdani, JD Vance and why he remains positive when he thinks about the future of American politics.&nbsp;

Is Ireland heel-dragging on climate action?

Behind the Story

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