Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
246. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has contacted or plans to contact the UK authorities to raise concerns about the commissioning of a new coalmine in Cumbria in view of the UK's leadership role at COP26 in Glasgow and the recent call by the UN Secretary General on all states to decommission all proposed coal plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15112/21]
View answerIreland is committed to concerted global effort to address the climate challenge and engages in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement through its membership of the European Union (EU). Ireland, together with its EU partners, is currently preparing for the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP26) in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from 1 to 12 November 2021.
While the Paris Agreement is delivering on raising global climate ambition, it is acknowledged that further effort is required. I therefore welcome the recent call made by the UN Secretary General for all States to decommission proposed coal plants.
Ireland's Climate Action Plan sets out that the burning of coal at Ireland's only coal-fired power station in Moneypoint will cease not later than 2025. A significant expansion in the amount of renewables on our power grid will also support our ambition to further decarbonise power generation in order to achieve a target of 70% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030. Ireland is also a member of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, a coalition of governments, businesses and organisations working together to advance and accelerate the transition from coal to clean energy, which is committed to mobilising further action towards this objective in the coming months ahead of COP26.
A positive outcome at COP26 is critical to secure accelerated action to avoid irreversible climate change. As COP Presidency, the UK will have a key role in bringing forward this agenda.
