Climate Change Policy

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Questions (13)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

13. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the commitments made by Ireland under the remit of his Department at COP26 and COP27, respectively; the progress made to date on actioning those, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Government is actively involved in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is the primary multilateral process for driving international action on climate change.

At COP26 and at COP27, we made a number of commitments, for implementation by the Department of Foreign Affair, which contribute to the global effort to address climate change. These commitments specifically aim to support and fund vulnerable developing countries to address the impacts of climate change and to protect the marine environment. All have been met, as set out below.

Commitment	Progress
COP26, Glasgow, 2021
Because the Ocean Declaration, committing Ireland’s support for climate adaptation and mitigation in the ocean.	In line with Ireland’s commitment to this Declaration, the Department of Foreign Affairs has increased its support for climate adaptation and mitigation in the ocean.
€1 million to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility to support Caribbean populations living and earning their livelihoods from the Ocean in the direct aftermath of a disaster.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2021.
€700,000 to the World Bank PROBLUE Trust Fund which supports the sustainable and integrated development of marine and coastal resources in developing countries.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2022 and reflects Ireland’s progress under its commitment to the Because the Ocean Declaration.
€400,000 for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for livelihood development for the coastal community in Tanga-Pemba seascape in Tanzania. This will be delivered in partnership with Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association and Ocean Hub Africa and will also support the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of the Great Blue Wall Initiative.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2021 and reflects Ireland’s progress under its commitment to the Because the Ocean Declaration.
€1 million to the National Adaptation Plan Global Network to support national-level adaptation in developing countries.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2021.
€2.5 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), to support adaptation activities in some of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2021.
COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh, 2022
Ireland re-affirmed its pledge of €4 million between 2022-2025 to the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), which aims to improve the capacity of vulnerable countries to predict and adapt to climate change and extreme weather events.	Ireland’s first payment of €1.2 million to the SOFF was made in 2022 and Ireland is an active member of SOFF’s Steering Committee.
€1 million to the Special Climate Change Fund to support adaptation action in Small Island Developing States.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2022.
€2 million to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), to support adaptation activities in some of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2022.
€2 million to the African Development Bank for activities supporting adaptation in African countries.	This financial commitment was disbursed in 2022. Through its membership of the African Development Bank, Ireland engages in the policy and programming of the Bank.