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The Taoiseach has outlined Ireland’s commitment to climate action at a summit to mark five years of the Paris Climate Accord.<\/p>\nThe Taoiseach has outlined Ireland’s commitment to climate action at a summit to mark five years of the Paris Climate Accord.<\/p>\n
Addressing the virtual summit Miche\u00e1l Martin said Ireland would double its percentage contribution of development aid spending on climate finance by 2030.<\/p>\n
Speaking this evening, Mr Martin said: \u201cWe will more than halve our carbon emissions this decade, an average of 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that Ireland had enshrined its ambition to reach net-zero by 2050 into law, and that national long-term climate strategies would be prepared every five years.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said Ireland would also be supporting climate action through providing funding to the least developed countries, saying: \u201cWe must reach the furthest behind first, especially those disproportionately affected and least equipped to cope.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking earlier UN secretary general Ant\u00f3nio Guterres called on all countries to declare a climate emergency.<\/p>\n
He hit out at wealthier countries for spending 50% more of their pandemic recovery cash on fossil fuels compared to low-carbon energy.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said Ireland would champion climate action in the interests of peace during our time on the UN Security Council.<\/p>\n
“From January, Ireland will work as a member of the UN Security Council to champion ways in which climate action can contribute to sustaining peace.<\/p>\n
“We will scale up our financial contributions, at least doubling the percentage of official development assistance spending on climate finance by 2030.”<\/p>\n
European leaders confirmed their pledge, agreed earlier this week, to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030 on 1990 levels, on a path to becoming climate neutral by 2050.<\/p>\n
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said the move was a \u201ccomplete paradigm shift\u201d, and would be backed by at least \u20ac30 billion from the \u20ac108 billion budget over the next few years.<\/p>\n
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the 55% agreement \u201cis a go-ahead for scaling up climate action across our economy and society\u201d.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cWe have already started, from boosting renewable energy, creating hydrogen valleys and producing the most sustainable batteries to launching a wave of building innovation, decarbonizing transport and protecting and restoring our nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are serious about getting our economy on a more sustainable path.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Mrs von der Leyen said it was not a task for Europe, which accounts for less than 10% of emissions, alone, adding \u201cclimate change is more than a European issue, it is human issue\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said the EU wanted to work with other countries who agreed for the need to put a price on carbon.<\/p>\n
The head of the International Monetary Fund has said actions to tackle climate change offer \u201ctremendous opportunities for jobs and sustainable growth\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kristalina Georgieva said at the Climate Ambition Summit: \u201cA combination of carbon pricing, a near-term green investment push and policies to compensate affected people in parts of the economy could achieve emissions reductions and increase climate resilience while delivering about 0.7% higher GDP over 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the recovery from the pandemic could also help accelerate the changes, adding that by coordinating their green recovery strategies, countries could boost GDP by two-thirds more than if they act alone.<\/p>\n
Ms Georgieva said that countries must harness the \u201cfirepower\u201d of the financial sector through full disclosure of climate-related financial risk, and through policies that \u201cnurture green finance\u201d.<\/p>\n