Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his engagement with his counterparts in the EU and other international governments ahead of the COP28 negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50294/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOP28, the annual UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, will take place in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December. Ireland has worked intensively alongside our EU colleagues through active participation in EU expert groups in preparation for the COP28 negotiations. Through these expert groups, Ireland has fed into EU level negotiation priorities and will participate in several EU negotiation teams on various issues of importance to Ireland at COP28, including on funding to avert, minimise and address Loss and Damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change.
Following on from COP27, Ireland has shared a seat on the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damage with Germany. The Transitional Committee has met intensively since March and after a difficult process, there is now a text on the table that is to be formally approved at COP28. Ireland and the EU encourage endorsement by all parties at COP28 of this text.
I played an active role in the negotiations of the EU Environment Council Conclusions on COP28, including through the addition of language on innovative sources of climate finance. I have also attended several international climate change meetings in preparation for COP28, including during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, the Africa Climate Summit and Pre-COP28.
I have used these opportunities to hold a number of bilateral engagements including with UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, a range of EU and international counterparts and with the COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan al-Jaber. During my meeting with Dr. Sultan al-Jaber I highlighted mitigation of, and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation, and Loss and Damage, as the main areas of priority for Ireland in advance of COP28. We agreed that making concrete progress on these issues is crucial for building climate resilience in developing countries and for delivering on the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact.
