Speaking on World Environment Day Cathal Boylan said: “The increasing emphasis on climate and the recognition of a climate emergency is much welcome."

Boylan added: “Evidence including UN reports, such as the recent Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report, shows the need for decisive action now.

Progressive measures are needed on an all-island basis to tackle the ever-growing climate emergency."

The Dáil and the British parliament both recently declared a climate emergency, however this needs to be followed with strategic action.

“In the north - said Boylan - we need to address emissions as we aim to hit the targets under the Paris Accord and this needs to be reflected in any new Programme for Government.

We also need to see climate legislation introduced for the north which includes binding sectoral targets, in the south the existing legislation needs to be strengthened."

Sinn Féin has published policies including ‘Powering Ireland 2030’ and ‘The Climate Minority Report’ which both contain progressives measures to tackle climate and to move away from fossil fuel dependency.