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LAST UPDATE | 2 Nov 2021
IRELAND “ACCEPTS” THE obligation for richer countries to support nations most acutely impacted by climate change, the Taoiseach has said in his national statement at COP26.
But the Taoiseach’s announcement to double Ireland’s climate finance contribution for developing countries was criticised as not enough to meet current costs, with one organisation saying it should be closer to €500 million than €225 million.
Heads of government from around the world have been delivering their statements at the UN annual climate summit currently taking place in Glasgow.
Micheál Martin arrived in the Scottish city yesterday, attending climate events and meeting with other world leaders including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron.
In his national statement this afternoon, the Taoiseach said that “every second of delay” makes the task to cut emissions “that bit bigger”.
“We come here as leaders, and it is vital that we offer the leadership the world now urgently needs,” Martin told the conference.
He highlighted the benefits of climate action for people, a point experts have long been keen to focus on and which the Taoiseach has discussed in recent days.
“We can achieve a cooler world. A biodiverse world. A world with healthier air for us to breathe, healthier soil for things to grow in. A world in which people can live more sustainable lives, handing a healing and enriched planet to future generations.
Those of us in the developed world – those who have, frankly, contributed most to the problems that confront us all – have an obligation to support those who are most acutely challenged by their consequences.
Martin said: “Ireland accepts that obligation”.
Ireland’s financial contribution ‘only half our fair share’
Conor O’Neill, Christian Aid Ireland’s Policy and Advocacy Advisor, said in response to the Taoiseach’s speech:
“Taking past emissions and wealth into account, Ireland should be contributing closer to €500 million a year in climate finance, which means this increased commitment, while welcome, is still only half of our fair share.
“It’s essential that Ireland’s climate finance is new and additional investment and that it isn’t diverted from existing aid budgets, supporting communities struggling with extreme poverty, so that it doesn’t detract from other key areas like education and healthcare.
By just dipping into its aid budget, Ireland would be robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Trócaire welcomed the announcement by the Taoiseach that Ireland is to double its contribution to climate finance for developing countries.
But the overseas development agency said while this represented progress, Ireland will have to go further as the combined international target of $100 billion for climate finance “needs to increase in line with the rising need”.
Ireland’s global climate finance contributions will more than double from €93 million a year at the moment to €225 million a year by 2025.
Since 2009, developed nations have pledged to give $100 billion per year in climate funding for developing nations to help them adapt to climate change. This target has not yet been reached and it is a key sticking point at this year’s conference.
Real-world impacts
The Taoiseach said that the world is already seeing the “serious impacts” of climate change.
“The IPCC Report in August confirmed to us that it is widespread, it is rapid, and it is intensifying. The scale of this change is unprecedented.
“But, as the report made clear, it is not too late.”
This report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said that “deep reductions” in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to prevent the planet from warming by more than 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius.
The Taoiseach said: “Unless we act now, we will not keep the possibility of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees alive.”
“The scientists are playing their part, in helping us to understand the dynamics of climate change and in developing the technologies and responses we need to limit its effect.
As political leaders, it is our responsibility to put the necessary policies in place. Ireland is ready to play its part.
Ireland’s policies
Martin also outlined Ireland’s climate plans and policies such as the target to cut emissions by 51% below 2018 levels by 2030, and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
“We do not believe or accept, as some would have it, that it is too late; that the transition will be too costly; that it is inevitable that we will leave people behind; that someone else should shoulder the load,” he said.
“We believe in the immense capacity of humans to work together and to achieve great things.
If we act decisively now, we will offer humanity the most valuable prize of all – a liveable planet.
“As leaders, if we are to bring people with us on this journey of a lifetime we must also recognise and respect the real anxiety that many people feel when confronted by such an enormous challenge.”
He also spoke about the fears of young people and those worried about rising energy costs and losing their jobs.
“Our young people worry that there will be no worthwhile future for them to inherit,” he said.
“I will do everything in my power”, Martin said, to ensure these fears are not realised.
Recent polling conducted by The Good Information Project/Ireland Thinks found that 11% of 18 to 24-year-olds think the government is doing enough on the climate crisis.
One-third of people overall think the government is doing enough on climate.
Martin said he will work to “ensure that we will succeed in limiting emissions; to ensure that the transition we deliver is jobs-rich and economically sustainable; to ensure that there is real climate justice and nobody, in any part of the world, is left behind”.
“Let us leave Glasgow with a renewed commitment to doing what we know needs to be done. Let us move forward together now,” Martin concluded.
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This is his happiest moment of his stint as Taoiseach. Big waffley speech on the world stage with no one asking him questions or asking how he will deliver anything in his speech. Just playing politics with the big boys. Completely care free. Smiles claps and photo poses. No real work involved. This is why he got into politics, for days like this.
@Rob Gale: like how can he say all that, and with the other hand, allow more data centres get built and import briquettes from Latvia? It’s all nonsense. None of it means anything.
@Rob Gale: Do you think he should ban data centres and free trade? I do think that any imported briquettes should be heavily taxed. Data centres are needed unless there’s an alternative that I’m not aware of..
@Enda McKenna: I think the point of the comment relates more to closures of our own production plants in the name of climate change just for us to import the same product from a differnt country. Arguably with shipping etc making it worse for the environment
@Enda McKenna: taxing the import of goods is not possible unless you want to leave the EU. Overall the EU needs to regulate dirty fuels like peat and coal and phase them out. Data centres should be allowed subject to strict conditions that require energy efficiency, otherwise you are exporting them to other countries, most likely with a bigger proportion of fossil fuels in their electricity production.
@Ross Mc Gann: It’s unfortunate that peat is being imported. Closing the domestic production is a good thing and the EU should implement a similar ban. We live in a capitalist world where companies will look for ways to profit regardless of the climate consequences. If the demand drops then the supply will dry up!
@Enda McKenna: “It’s unfortunate that X and Y is happening” up there with statements like “we all partied” or another recent one, “we’re all letting our guard down”.
Yea have some necks.
@Enda McKenna: the use of datacentes produce more CO2 than air transport, so why not limit them ?
The 3 biggest emitters of Methane refused to sign up to the new accord on it, which is 30% of the worlds production of it – so why in this country are we even contemplating signing up ?
Same goes for Peat import: what was it landed in Ireland recently, 4000tonnes of it from Latvia – what’s the CO2 for transporting that – yet shutting down our industry.
We seriously need to revisit our country’s desire to be seen to be the ‘good guys’ all the time and penalising the citizenry in the process. Time for politicians here to have a bit of backbone and learn to say ‘No’ every now & then.
Inspiring, truly the master orator of our times.
The auld Union Jack suits Micheal.
@motojack: omg what …….
The auld comms unit got onto the journal for them to change the picture
China has coal powerplants and we have killer cows…..what a joke.
Ireland’s economy… But sure they’ve messed that up two
Homelessness….. Mother and baby homes….. Pyrite…….Health service shortages……. etc etc. Sort these out first Mr. Tea shock.
This must be a typo –
“Our young people worry that there will be no worthwhile future for them to inherit,” he said. I will do everything in my power”, Martin said, to ensure these fears are NOT realised”
Surely it should be – “I will do everything in my power”, Martin said, to ensure these fears ARE realised”
It was an absolute cringe fest listening and watching him. With his dramatic slow delivery of sentences, his dramatic pauses and waving of hands, his exaggerated facial expressions and mannerisms. I wonder does he actually look back at himself making these speeches and cringe himself.
@Jason Ebbs: If he did, given his slithery horrible make up, he’d probably think it was the greatest speech ever delivered by man. He’s as bad, if not worse as all the crùnts that proceed him.
Great speech…but Mehole will need to stop flying in his Private jet funded by the Irish people…He needs to get a bike just as his Minister Eamomn Ryan wants us all to do
@In the paper: How does one cycle from Dublin to Scotland or from Dublin to anywhere that’s not on the island of Ireland?
@Roy Dowling: A peddle boat?
@Roy Dowling: cycle to the airport…then jump on Ryanair
‘It is essential that we protect the farmers of Ireland, who have contributed so much and taken so little from our great country and the EU. They have produced for the World, 90% of dairy produce is exported, but have kindly kept those emissions in Ireland. The immigration of 80k cows into our country over the last 12 months and their contribution of over 50% of our CO2 emissions has allowed us to keep in line with great countries like Brazil, Russia and China, not to mention our Irish American President country. They have turned our waters green in preparation for St Patrick’s Day, as they do every year and they have never complained or asked for Thanks. Just like we didn’t reward the nurses for their contribution during Covid, we will not make the same mistake with our farmers. Name your price lads!!!!!………….’ Think it is time to stop allowing FFG from filling the atmosphere bwith Methane.
Wouldn’t it have made sense to have a meeting over Zoom instead of traveling to Glasgow which is the reason they need to have this meeting .. ?
Missing a part there lads, he actually said
“We can tax it and achieve a cooler world. A biodiverse world. A world with healthier air for us to breathe, healthier soil for things to grow in. A world in which people can live more sustainable lives, handing a healing and enriched planet to future generations”.
@Dave.: so we fix our emissions but China India and Africa triple their output along with there populations China have given the go ahead for families to have 3 kids
What a complete tool. Does he actually believe any of what he is saying?
All nonsense. Ireland will have no meaningful impact either way on climate change. And the sooner that is realised the better. We literally don’t matter.
Who put that Gob Shiite on the tv
G if only he was able to sort our little housing /rent crises
More taxes, no changes!
With Donkeys as our main mode of transport
@SandraMeyler: Now there’s an idea…..but needs to be looked into by a government appointed committee.
@SandraMeyler: donkeys fart methane so ye are screwed there to by the greens
@Peter B: but methane comes out o dem donkeys
Ah the marriage made in heaven, science and politics. Never to be parted.
Was all that in their manifestos.
Ah cráp I missed it. Will they repeat it at the weekend on the COP26 Omnibus?
Is it true they have had this summit every year since 1995? What have they been doing.
Yellow slide please…
Mr Bryne
Poor choice of flag behind him in the photo. I know he didn’t call it but I’m mildly offended by it….
“Guess who drives a fossil car ? You do ,you do.” To the tune of Camptown Races.
What a mucking fuppet!
Remind me. How many emissions targets has Ireland met?
Great speach. Who wrote it?
Under an Eu programme the best minds have concluded tackling emmissions properly requires Hydrogen eg. steel making (energy intensive), trains, Hgv’s,ships, tractors. Shell have put many billions into this and built large scale electrolyzers. The largest in planning will produce nearly 1 million tons of hydrogen per year. Using the Eu gas network the gas can be pumped to other geo locations. Hydrogen cars are also really good. Sad to see Ireland has no concrete plans at all for hydrogen seen by experts as key to solving emmissions along with eV’s. Blue hydroen will reduce emmissions for making polymer materials like plastics of all kinds insulation etc.
https://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/new-energies/hydrogen.html
Make no mistake ab
Time for some humour on this subject.
Did he not dilever that speach 3 days ago?
According to German newspapers, our wise leaders agreed to give a few billion Euro to South Africa. Germany alone will give them 700 million. This money should be used there to improve their energy infrastructure and prevent the low income citizens from being hit too hard by rising energy costs.
I’m so glad that prizes for energy are not rising in the EU, so the people with low incomes don’t have to worry and our electric power infrastructure in Ireland is so great, that we always meet the demand and have absolutely no power outages ever.
On Newsnight last night, they were discussing that the biggest problem in giving aid to countries, esp with the massive amounts involved, is the corruption involved and redirecting the monies to different projects. NGO’s incl Christian Aid are now calling for our donations to be doubled, if not more. Surely it is contradictory to request more funds, when there is no transparency/ accountability or desire to tackle corrupt leaders and make sure that these funds find their way to the right people and projects. Paying corrupt leaders a commission to prevent a catastrophe in their country only prolongs the chances of it reoccurring rather than building infrastructures. That is probably one of the worst humanitarian crisis happening and the same counties and the same leaders are always on the list. And the U.N. etc are always a.w.o.l.
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