According to a new report, Ireland ranks among the worst in Europe for tackling climate change.
The Climate Change performance index ranks Ireland at 48th, with Saudu Arabia ranking lowest at 60th.
The CCPI looks at greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and energy use in 56 countries.
Sweden scores highest on the list, followed by Morocca, Lithuania, Latvia and the U.K - you can access the full list here.
The index says climate change efforts will not enable Ireland to achieve its 2020 or 2030 targets.
"The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an instrument which was designed to enhance transparency in international climate politics.
Source: CCPI IndexIts aim is to put political and social pressure on those countries that have, until now, failed to take ambitious action on climate protection, and to highlight those countries with best practice climate policies", the report said.
"The group of medium-performing countries includes countries like France, Mexico, Germany and the Czech Republic.
Among the low performers overall are Indonesia, Austria and New Zealand."
The bottom in this year’s CCPI are Saudi Arabia, the United States, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Republic of Korea and Chinese Taipei, scoring low or very low across almost all categories.
Ireland's Environment Minister Richard Bruton says today's report reinforces the urgency of his work on the issue.
Friends of the Irish Environment says the result is embarrassing.
