Taoiseach Bertie Ahern opened Fianna Fáil's 71 stArd Fheis in Dublin this evening with a series of pledges aimed at reducing the State's carbon emissions and waste.
Addressing delegates at the City West Hotel tonight, Mr Ahern announced a number of initiatives to be taken this year by the public service.
"We will take the right decisions - and the hard decisions - to do otherwise would be to betray our obligations to the planet," the Taoiseach said.
Under the initiative, the public service will be required to specify targets for reducing carbon emissions and for reducing, re-using and recycling waste.
Every Department and Public Agency will have to produce a detailed measurement of their carbon footprint and waste which will then be measured and reported annually.
The environmental damage caused by government air travel will be offset by investment in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Urban forest schemes will be targetted "to enhance our towns and cities."
Each organisation in the public service which operates vehicles - including ministerial cars - will have to publish proposals for reducing emissions from their fleet.
Mr Ahern said that by the end of 2007 inefficient lightbulbs will no longer be purchased by any public body - a change which the Taoiseach said could save over 5% of the electricity currently used by the public service.
Mr Ahern also listed existing initiatives to fight climate change like the Greener Homes Scheme, planning law changes to promote renewable energy, tax breaks for hybrid and bio-fuel cars and better building energy standards and waste management policies.
Up to 5,000 delegates will attend this weekend's Ard Fheis in what will be the largest political gathering in Ireland this year.
Protests are planned outside the event by the Anti-War Movement and families of the victims of the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire who are seeking a public inquiry.
Mr Ahern will set out key election promises to delegates during his keynote televised speech to delegates tomorrow evening.
With predictions of seat losses, the party will be keen to emphasise its role in managing the economy and promoting social justice over the past decade in power.
Delegates will debate more than 200 motions covering issues within 14 Government departments.
Additional reporting: PA