Ireland must become carbon-neutral within less than 25 years to protect both the environment and the economy, Labour TD Eamon Gilmore has said.
"Enormous courage, leadership and new thinking will be required from the next government," he told Labour Party election candidates.
"It will also require the understanding and the co-operation of individuals, and especially of those who are active in the economy," he told candidates on the eve of the party's annual conference today.
He committed Labour to meeting Ireland's Kyoto targets by 2012, which will mean keeping carbon dioxide emissions 13 per cent above 1990 levels, and to cutting them to 1990 levels by 2015.
By 2020, a government involving Labour will cut CO2 emissions to 20 per cent below the 1990 level, and to make Ireland a carbon neutral economy a decade later, he added.
To meet the 2020 target, the State must reduce carbon production by 25 million tonnes, although he warned that this is twice the emissions produced by "every car, truck, bus and train in the country" today.
Faced with the crisis, said Mr Gilmore, the Government "wrap themselves in the economy, and attempt to suggest that carbon reductions will damage the economy and endanger jobs.
"They are wrong to put the economy and the environment as alternatives on this issue. But they are right about one thing. Climate change is an economic issue.
"Because if we don't get to grips with it and cut down on carbon emissions, our economy will become uncompetitive and outdated; our taxpayers will be left to pay the price of inaction.
"We will have to pay for the protection and possibly the restoration of infrastructure and property damaged by freak weather events. New Orleans was not a once off," he said.
Reducing emissions, as distinct from purchasing carbon allowances, was not just the best option for the environment, Mr Gilmore said, it was also the smart thing to do for the economy.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said a government involving Labour would create more hospital beds, and guarantee the ending of MRSA infections in hospitals.
Universal health insurance (UHI) cannot be introduced immediately - even though Labour is in favour of it: "Such is the shambles in the health service, that significant change will be required before moving to UHI."
The looming confrontation "on the eve of an election" between medical consultants and Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney has all the appearance of a set-up, he said.
"It is ladybird politics to attempt to win votes in a staged conflict with the hospital consultants who have little popular support. But it could be very damaging for the health services."