Government publishes its International Climate Finance Roadmap
Press release
07 July 2022Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, T.D., today announced the Government’s publication of Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap. The Roadmap, which was approved by Cabinet this week, was developed together with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications; Finance; and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It illustrates Ireland’s plans for scaling up its international climate financing to meet the target to provide at least €225 million by 2025, announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the UN Climate Conference, COP26, in November 2021.
Minister Simon Coveney said:
“We are reminded on a daily basis of the devastating effects of climate change around the world, particularly in climate vulnerable developing countries where the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are at risk. Providing climate finance is an essential facet of Ireland’s international climate action and of our foreign policy."
“This Roadmap, which Minister Ryan and I brought to Cabinet, reaffirms Ireland’s steadfast commitment to supporting people and communities that are at the forefront of climate change. It builds on the positive role that Ireland currently plays in supporting adaptation and resilience to climate change, whilst expanding our work in some key areas like the protection of the ocean and coastal communities in Small Island Developing States which are increasingly threatened by climate change.”
Minister Eamon Ryan said:
“Climate change does not respect borders, and national efforts alone are insufficient in addressing this global crisis. Ireland’s international climate support explicitly focuses on the most vulnerable, and those with the most to lose. At the heart of this Roadmap is a commitment to climate justice which demonstrates how we will support others in preparing for a climate resilient future, standing in solidarity with countries that have done the least to contribute to the problem of climate change, and yet face the harshest impact.”
“One of the most effective ways to influence others is when our actions at home are consistent with our advocacy abroad. Our increased climate ambition, and the publication of this Roadmap, demonstrates our continued commitment to coordinated international climate action, consistent with the Paris Agreement.”
Minister Paschal Donohoe said:
“This Roadmap, by communicating Ireland’s climate finance commitments and priorities, plays a key role in the Government’s climate action and diplomacy. The increased support signalled by the Roadmap, in particular for adaptation and climate-resilient development aligned with the Paris Agreement, is much-needed. As the Roadmap recognises, Ireland will continue to be a voice for ambitious climate action in international forums including the European Union, International Financial Institutions and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, alongside promoting and facilitating climate finance from the private and financial sectors.”
Minister McConalogue said:
“The International Climate Finance Roadmap underpins Ireland’s commitment to align our climate commitments with the Paris Agreement, not only in the context of direct climate financing but also in respect of our funding contributions to UN multi-lateral agencies. As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I am delighted to support this hugely significant initiative.”
Notes to editors
- The Programme for Government 2020 committed to doubling the proportion of Ireland’s ODA that counts as climate finance by 2030, and to devising a strategy to scale up Ireland’s climate finance contributions.
- At the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC COP26) in November 2021, Taoiseach Micheál Martin set a further target of providing at least €225 million per year in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. In 2020, Ireland’s international climate finance was €88.3 million.
- Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap articulates the Government’s vision for achieving the targets set by the Programme for Government and announced at COP26. The Roadmap was developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, along with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications; Finance; and Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and in collaboration with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of the Taoiseach.
- As articulated in the Roadmap, Ireland will maintain its focus on supporting adaptation and resilience to climate change in some of the most climate vulnerable countries around the world.
- The Roadmap also expands the scope of support to areas where Ireland can bring further added value to international climate action, such as ocean protection and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy, and enhancing biodiversity.
- Ireland's International Climate Finance Roadmap is available for download here July - Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie)
ENDS
Press Office
7th July 2022