A Clare climate activist is urging Ireland to lead by example when it comes to moving away from fossil fuel consumption.
This year’s COP summit, which begins today, will see governments debate on whether, for the first time, to phase out coal, oil and gas in a bid to curb CO2 emissions.
World leaders, government representatives and delegates have descended on Dubai for the United Nations’ annual climate change summit known as the Conference of the Parties or COP28.
Last year’s conference resulted in the establishment of a “Loss and Damage Fund” which is aimed at providing financial support to nations most vulnerable and impacted by the effects of climate change.
Ireland has commited to pledging €225 million per year in climate finance, which is the highest figure the country has ever invested in the issue.
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, who is among the leaders attending the conference, has expressed confidence that negotiations over the next two weeks will yield positive results for renewable energy.
Over a decade ago at COP16, the goal of limiting the global temperature from rising to 1.5 degrees Celsius was agreed upon, and this became binding in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
A UN report published two weeks ago, however, indicated that based on countries’ current climate plans, global emissions will be cut by just two percent by 2030, which falls short of the 43% drop needed to meet the 1.5 degrees celsius goal.
Speaking on the role that Clare people can play, climate activist Theresa Donohue from Lisdoonvarna, who’s attending the summit, is encouraging residents here to use their votes in upcoming elections on politicians who are prioritising climate action.
Some controversy has stemmed from the appointment of Sultan al-Jaber (Ja-bare), CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as president of this year’s conference.
The company is one of the world’s largest oil producers and in May of this year, al-Jaber declared his support for phasing out “fossil fuel emissions” as opposed to fossil fuels themselves, using techniques such as the controversial carbon capture.
Clare Public Participation Network member, Saoirse Exton, who’s an advisor on climate change to the the UN Secretary General, believes as Ireland is a wealthy and influential country, it must set a positive trend by divesting from fossil fuels.
You can listen to the full discussion below.
