Loss and damage is a priority for Ireland’s work on climate change. Ireland’s position is that we urgently need to scale up and improve access to climate finance to reach those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. There is a clear need for increased finance to avert, minimise and address loss and damage when devastating droughts, heat waves, floods, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels destroy lives, livelihoods, and homes. These impacts of climate change are already causing mass displacement, submerging national heritage sites, and causing entire communities to lose their way of life. At COP26, Ireland committed to more than double its climate finance to €225million a year by 2025 to support developing countries, as well as pledging €5million to support operationalising the Santiago Network to catalyse the technical assistance of relevant organisations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of appropriate approaches to averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage at the local, national and regional levels, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Looking to COP27, Ireland supports progressing dialogue on finance for loss and damage and encourages parties to maximise the value of the Glasgow Dialogue, seeing it as a valuable space for analysis of needs, gaps, and opportunities. Ireland is also ready to work with key stakeholders across the humanitarian, development, and climate sectors, including financial institutions whose existing work is relevant in this space. Through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Ireland has closed the door on new oil and gas exploration activities. Ireland is committed to enabling sustainable climate resilient development using clean and renewable energy sources and will promote and support measures at an international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. To this end, Ireland joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) at COP26 to promote dialogue on the need for a managed and just phase-out of oil and gas production. As a core member, Ireland looks forward to actively participating in progressing BOGA priorities this year.
