Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
378. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when his Department will publish updated figures for Ireland's 2019 climate finance contributions as required under the Paris Climate Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7335/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's international climate finance expenditure is calculated on an annual basis in a retrospective process coordinated by my Department with inputs from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Finance and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The 2019 Report is being finalised with a view to publication during February, and will detail Ireland’s international financial support to the objectives of the Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity and desertification, as well as Ireland’s financial support for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and resilience in the face of climatic and weather-related events.
The 2019 Report will demonstrate continued progress in our contributions to the Paris Agreement, with a further year-on-year increase in Ireland's international climate expenditure. It is anticipated that the 2019 Report will show a 17% increase in international climate expenditure compared to 2018.
Ireland's international climate finance continues to be focused on the Least Developed Countries and on Small Island Developing States. 99% of Ireland's international climate expenditure is allocated to assist the most vulnerable and strengthen their ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change, as well as on activities that combine adaptation with mitigation benefits.
The recently established Climate Unit in my Department is coordinating with other Departments to continue to scale up and to meet the Programme for Government commitment to double the overall proportion of Ireland's development assistance that counts as climate finance. The Climate Unit, in collaboration with other Government Departments, is also supporting Ireland's climate diplomacy on the UN Security Council and in other fora in preparation for COP26 in Glasgow in November this year.
