Published on 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin to lead strong Irish delegation to COP27 in Egypt

COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, takes place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 18 November 2022. Ireland will be represented by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney; and Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy.

 

The Taoiseach will attend the World Leaders Summit at the start of the Conference on 7 and 8 November.

 

At the Summit, the Taoiseach will participate in a number of high-level events and roundtables, including on food security and on the sustainability of vulnerable communities. He will join the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, for a working breakfast on ‘The Global Shield Against Climate Risks’, a new initiative sponsored by the G7 and the V20 group of vulnerable countries aimed at scaling up the finance needed to protect against climate risks in poor countries.

 

On Tuesday afternoon he will deliver Ireland’s National Statement, setting out Ireland’s climate ambition, and the Government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable countries who, despite having contributed least to climate change, are bearing the brunt of its impact.

 

He will also have a number of bilateral meetings with fellow Leaders in the margins.

 

COP27 will focus on the acute climate-related challenges facing many African countries and on the implementation of commitments made at previous COPs. Delegates will seek to make progress on addressing the loss and damage caused by climate change, and on increasing funding for climate resilience.

 

Speaking ahead of the Summit, the Taoiseach said:

 

“Climate change is the single greatest challenge the world faces. Its effects are already being felt in more extreme weather events, and its consequences are fuelling conflict, global instability, competition for resources and abject human misery in some of the world’s poorest countries.

 

“Political leaders meeting at COP27 have a special responsibility to urgently drive the transformation needed to secure the sustainable future of our planet and its people.

 

“It is very clear that some of the countries that contributed least to climate change are bearing the worst brunt of its impacts. Many of these vulnerable countries lack the resources they need to deal with the challenges they face. I expect that climate finance will be a prominent issue in our discussions at the Summit, and I hope that developed countries will step up, ensuring that commitments entered into at previous meetings are delivered.”

 

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, said:

 

“The devastating effects of climate change are clear to all, with extreme weather events becoming ever more frequent across the world. We know we must act now to protect people and the planet, and it is vital that we act together.

 

“We have to move as hard and as fast as possible to reduce our emissions. Every kg of emissions saved matters at this stage. COP27 is an opportunity to work together to keep commitments already made on track and to make further progress on net zero ambitions.

 

“Ireland is committed to reducing our emissions by 51% by 2030 and to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. This year’s successor to that plan which we will publish in December, will emphasise the need to speed up measures to decarbonise our economy and move towards renewables. The scale of change we need to make is beyond compare but I am optimistic that we can do it and that we will play our part in ensuring that we have a greener, healthier, more prosperous globe to pass on to our children and their children.”

 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, said:

 

“2022 has been a year for devastating climate impacts. The deadly floods in Pakistan are just one recent example of why the decisions to be taken at COP27 are so important. I am looking forward to visiting the Conference on Wednesday to hold discussions with climate vulnerable countries and with Ireland’s partners to see what more Ireland can do to promote strong and rapid climate action.”

 

Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, said:

 

“Climate change is happening right now and is having devastating impacts. In the Horn of Africa, tens of millions of people are going hungry directly because of climate change. Unless the world comes together to take collective action, we are condemning those people to an appalling famine that could lead to a loss of life on an unimaginable scale.

 

“This is Africa’s COP and it has to result in practical and concrete action. We can’t afford a talking shop. What is happening today in the Horn of Africa is a wake-up call for the future we are walking ourselves into.”

 

 

ENDS

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS 

 

KEY INFORMATION:

 

  • COP27 will take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from 6-18 November 2022.
  • This annual climate change conference is run by the United Nations and brings together almost every country in the world to try reach agreement on how to tackle climate change.
  • Ireland will also be represented by the Taoiseach at a meeting of world leaders.
  • Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney; and Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy will travel to Egypt early next week.
  • The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, will lead Ireland’s national delegation during the second week of the conference.
  • This year’s conference will concentrate on the acute climate-related challenges facing many African countries.
  • Scaling up finance for climate resilience and addressing climate-induced loss and damage are two core issues for COP27.
  • The Egyptian Presidency has also highlighted that COP27 should focus on the implementation of commitments and actions made at previous COPs, with a view to advancing progress and action in global climate ambition.

 

IRELAND’S PRIORITIES:

 

  1. Ireland remains committed to scaling up our international climate finance to support the world’s most vulnerable communities and people who are fighting the impacts of climate change.
  2. Ireland’s July 2022 ‘International Climate Finance Roadmap’ illustrates how we plan to meet the target to provide at least €225 million by 2025.
  3. Our funding will remain focused on adaptation and resilience to climate impacts, whilst also exploring newer themes such as biodiversity, and loss and damage.
  4. Ireland remains resolute to making real progress on the issue of loss and damage caused by climate change. We recognise that this issue is a significant priority for developing countries.
  5. As a member of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, Ireland is committed to accelerating the shift away from fossil fuel dependence and has ceased issuing new licences for oil and gas exploration.
  6. Ireland is deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on peace and stability. We believe that in tackling climate change we can reduce the potential for instability and build peace.
  7. Ireland continues to advocate for the active participation of women and young people in negotiations, including the appointment of a climate youth delegate in Ireland’s delegation and the facilitation of civil society attendance and engagement at the meetings.
  8. Ireland is committed to working with international partners, including at COP27, to champion a science-based approach to the negotiations and will seek to finalise key discussions, particularly on climate finance (to ensure appropriate supports for the most vulnerable countries).