Environmental Sustainability
#23Key Findings
Ireland performs relatively poorly (rank 23) with regard to environmental sustainability.
The state has adopted emissions reduction targets, but actual performance in reducing emissions remains poor. The country is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases per capita globally, Policies have relied on technological solutions rather than addressing underlying systems and structures.
The Climate Act 2021 commits to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 to 2030, with a long-term objective of climate neutrality by 2050. The share of energy produced via renewables is increasing, but the emissions reduction goals are not being met.
Agriculture, urban wastewater and forestry have put severe pressures on surface and groundwater. Air quality is a concern, and habitat loss is advanced. The country focuses climate finance on small island states. Its own requests for exemption from EU climate rules for its agricultural sector are at odds with its Paris Agreement commitments.
The state has adopted emissions reduction targets, but actual performance in reducing emissions remains poor. The country is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases per capita globally, Policies have relied on technological solutions rather than addressing underlying systems and structures.
The Climate Act 2021 commits to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2018 to 2030, with a long-term objective of climate neutrality by 2050. The share of energy produced via renewables is increasing, but the emissions reduction goals are not being met.
Agriculture, urban wastewater and forestry have put severe pressures on surface and groundwater. Air quality is a concern, and habitat loss is advanced. The country focuses climate finance on small island states. Its own requests for exemption from EU climate rules for its agricultural sector are at odds with its Paris Agreement commitments.
Graph View
Graph View
How committed is the government to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Ireland has made progress in legislation, reduction targets, policy implementation and oversight, and commitments to phasing out fossil fuels. However, actual performance in reducing emissions remains poor. Ireland is one of the highest emitters of GHG per capita in the world, with increases in carbon dioxide, methane, F-gases and emissions from land use since 1990, reinforcing its laggard status often associated in policy analysis (Torney and O’Mahony 2023). Improvements in economic intensity can be attributed to known distortions in GDP data (O’Mahony et al. 2023).
Over the decades, the default policy choice has been to rely on improving technology and end-of-pipe efficiency rather than addressing underlying systems and structures, thereby missing the policy win-wins available from doing so (O’Mahony and Torney, 2023). Policy challenges are not related to insufficient policy implementation, as often proposed nationally, but to a distinct lack of policy coherence. This is evident in two key factors: development policy that drives emissions and inadequate conceptions of emissions reduction policy. Development policy has supported the growth and lock-in of high-carbon and emissions-intensive systems. Efficiency-dominated mitigation has evolved due to policy silos (Torney and O’Mahony,2023), limitations in the modeling used to inform policy discussions (O’Mahony and Torney 2023), and the influence of vested interests on policy processes.
Some progress is evident in power generation through increased renewables and in residential energy demand through efficiency measures such as insulation. However, more complex themes such as transport, agriculture and material consumption have received inadequate policy responses. Transport emissions have grown due to urban sprawl and a priority on roads and private cars, with mitigation focused on engine size, biofuels and electric vehicles rather than compact development and active and public transport (O’Mahony/EPA 2020). In agriculture, livestock numbers have increased in line with decades of agriculture policy to maximize production of animal products for export. Policy has focused on efficiencies such as manure management and fertilizer use, satisfying powerful vested interests that seek to continue business as usual (Murphy et al. 2022), rather than seeking to diversify activity to support the 57% of farms that are not economically viable (Teagasc 2023) and reduce excessive environmental burdens.
Ireland has a binding legislative commitment (Climate Act 2021) for a 51% reduction in GHG emissions, including land use, from 2018 to 2030, with 5-year budgets, and a long-term objective of climate neutrality by 2050. International commitments include the EU Effort Sharing – 42% by 2030 (McGookin et al. 2023) – with binding annual limits to 2030 and access to flexibilities. Implementation is supported by an annual process of action planning with sector-specific actions. However, while legislative and policy review structures are in place – including the semi-independent Climate Council established in 2015 – actual outcomes are not in line with emissions reduction goals.
A key component of national long-term planning is the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) and the associated Long-Term Strategy (LTS) to 2050. Ireland’s Climate Assessment considered the first strategy (DECC, 2023) and found that it is dominated by a narrower, technology-based approach – existing, emerging, and speculative technologies – and circular and bioeconomy goals (O’Mahony and Torney, 2023). The assessment noted that these narrower conceptions of climate action will continue to act as a barrier to transformational systems change, slowing mitigation, forgoing synergies and rendering climate neutrality unlikely (O’Mahony and Torney 2023).
A legal strategy related to the climate action plan was successfully pursued by Friends of the Irish Environment in 2020, suing the government on the grounds that the 2018 plan violated the Climate Act of 2015. The current government, with the Green Party Minister for Environment and Climate, has begun to make progress in addressing gaps in knowledge and policy, evidenced in the evolution in climate action toward systems change (DECC 2022). Inertia from lock-in to a high emissions path will limit the impact on short-term emissions trends, but long-term progress can be enabled. There are fears that the next general election may introduce a political dynamic contesting the use of carbon budgets. There is also a significant risk that populist and far-right politics will seek to make gains by attacking environment and climate policy to exploit the fears and vulnerabilities of rural communities.
Citations:
DECC. 2022. “Climate Action Plan 2023.” https://assets.gov.ie/243585/9942d689-2490-4ccf-9dc8-f50166bab0e7.pdf
DECC. 2023. “Ireland’s Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.” https://assets.gov.ie/255743/35b2ae1b-effe-48af-aaf3-156dc5b01ee6.pdf
O’Mahony, T./EPA. 2020. “Chapter 11 Environment and Transport.” Environmental Protection Agency State of the Environment Report 2020. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter11.pdf
O’Mahony, T., Luukkanen, J., Vehmas, J., and Kaivo-oja, J.R.L. 2023. “Time to Build a New Practice of Foresight for National Economies? Ireland, and Uncertain Futures in Forecasts and Scenarios.” Foresight (ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-10-2021-0191
O’Mahony, Mary, and Diarmaid Torney. 2023. Transforming Development: Economy, Innovation and Finance. Volume 4 of Irish Climate Change Assessment. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-4.pdf
McGookin, et al. 2023. Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment 2023: Volume 2: Achieving Climate.
Neutrality by 2050 https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-2.pdf
Murphy, S. P., et al. 2022. “Just Transition Frames: Recognition, Representation, and Distribution in Irish Beef Farming.” J. Rural Stud. 94: 150–160.
Teagasc. 2023. “Teagasc National Farm Survey 2022.” https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2023/NFSfinalreport2022.pdf
Torney, D., and O’Mahony, T. 2023. “Transforming Governance and Policy.” In Irish Climate Change Assessment, Volume 4. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring-assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-4.pdf
Over the decades, the default policy choice has been to rely on improving technology and end-of-pipe efficiency rather than addressing underlying systems and structures, thereby missing the policy win-wins available from doing so (O’Mahony and Torney, 2023). Policy challenges are not related to insufficient policy implementation, as often proposed nationally, but to a distinct lack of policy coherence. This is evident in two key factors: development policy that drives emissions and inadequate conceptions of emissions reduction policy. Development policy has supported the growth and lock-in of high-carbon and emissions-intensive systems. Efficiency-dominated mitigation has evolved due to policy silos (Torney and O’Mahony,2023), limitations in the modeling used to inform policy discussions (O’Mahony and Torney 2023), and the influence of vested interests on policy processes.
Some progress is evident in power generation through increased renewables and in residential energy demand through efficiency measures such as insulation. However, more complex themes such as transport, agriculture and material consumption have received inadequate policy responses. Transport emissions have grown due to urban sprawl and a priority on roads and private cars, with mitigation focused on engine size, biofuels and electric vehicles rather than compact development and active and public transport (O’Mahony/EPA 2020). In agriculture, livestock numbers have increased in line with decades of agriculture policy to maximize production of animal products for export. Policy has focused on efficiencies such as manure management and fertilizer use, satisfying powerful vested interests that seek to continue business as usual (Murphy et al. 2022), rather than seeking to diversify activity to support the 57% of farms that are not economically viable (Teagasc 2023) and reduce excessive environmental burdens.
Ireland has a binding legislative commitment (Climate Act 2021) for a 51% reduction in GHG emissions, including land use, from 2018 to 2030, with 5-year budgets, and a long-term objective of climate neutrality by 2050. International commitments include the EU Effort Sharing – 42% by 2030 (McGookin et al. 2023) – with binding annual limits to 2030 and access to flexibilities. Implementation is supported by an annual process of action planning with sector-specific actions. However, while legislative and policy review structures are in place – including the semi-independent Climate Council established in 2015 – actual outcomes are not in line with emissions reduction goals.
A key component of national long-term planning is the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) and the associated Long-Term Strategy (LTS) to 2050. Ireland’s Climate Assessment considered the first strategy (DECC, 2023) and found that it is dominated by a narrower, technology-based approach – existing, emerging, and speculative technologies – and circular and bioeconomy goals (O’Mahony and Torney, 2023). The assessment noted that these narrower conceptions of climate action will continue to act as a barrier to transformational systems change, slowing mitigation, forgoing synergies and rendering climate neutrality unlikely (O’Mahony and Torney 2023).
A legal strategy related to the climate action plan was successfully pursued by Friends of the Irish Environment in 2020, suing the government on the grounds that the 2018 plan violated the Climate Act of 2015. The current government, with the Green Party Minister for Environment and Climate, has begun to make progress in addressing gaps in knowledge and policy, evidenced in the evolution in climate action toward systems change (DECC 2022). Inertia from lock-in to a high emissions path will limit the impact on short-term emissions trends, but long-term progress can be enabled. There are fears that the next general election may introduce a political dynamic contesting the use of carbon budgets. There is also a significant risk that populist and far-right politics will seek to make gains by attacking environment and climate policy to exploit the fears and vulnerabilities of rural communities.
Citations:
DECC. 2022. “Climate Action Plan 2023.” https://assets.gov.ie/243585/9942d689-2490-4ccf-9dc8-f50166bab0e7.pdf
DECC. 2023. “Ireland’s Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction.” https://assets.gov.ie/255743/35b2ae1b-effe-48af-aaf3-156dc5b01ee6.pdf
O’Mahony, T./EPA. 2020. “Chapter 11 Environment and Transport.” Environmental Protection Agency State of the Environment Report 2020. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter11.pdf
O’Mahony, T., Luukkanen, J., Vehmas, J., and Kaivo-oja, J.R.L. 2023. “Time to Build a New Practice of Foresight for National Economies? Ireland, and Uncertain Futures in Forecasts and Scenarios.” Foresight (ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-10-2021-0191
O’Mahony, Mary, and Diarmaid Torney. 2023. Transforming Development: Economy, Innovation and Finance. Volume 4 of Irish Climate Change Assessment. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-4.pdf
McGookin, et al. 2023. Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment 2023: Volume 2: Achieving Climate.
Neutrality by 2050 https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-2.pdf
Murphy, S. P., et al. 2022. “Just Transition Frames: Recognition, Representation, and Distribution in Irish Beef Farming.” J. Rural Stud. 94: 150–160.
Teagasc. 2023. “Teagasc National Farm Survey 2022.” https://www.teagasc.ie/media/website/publications/2023/NFSfinalreport2022.pdf
Torney, D., and O’Mahony, T. 2023. “Transforming Governance and Policy.” In Irish Climate Change Assessment, Volume 4. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring-assessment/climate-change/ICCA_Volume-4.pdf
Graph View
How committed is the government to protecting the public from environmental health risks?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to the goal of protecting environmental health.
Ireland’s surface and ground waters continue to be under pressure from human activities. Agriculture is the dominant source of this pressure, while river alterations, urban wastewater and forestry also contribute (EPA, 2020a). Ireland’s air quality faces challenges, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates (PM), volatile organic carbon (NMVOC) and ammonia (NH3). There are no safe levels for particulates, which are problematic in urban centers, while levels of NOx, NMVOC, and NH3 all breach National Emissions Ceiling targets (CSO 2022). NOx and particulates arise from road transport, solid fuel home heating and agriculture (EPA 2020b). Ammonia emissions are almost exclusively from agriculture and are increasing. VOC emissions are attributable to agriculture, manufacturing, paints, and solvents. Problems are also arising from the drainage of peatlands and soils for agriculture and urban sealing of soil surfaces (EPA 2020c), but monitoring is limited.
Policy to address environmental health risks is spread across scales, functions and sectors. Much of this policy is binding as it is transposed from EU directives. Ireland has shown progress in discrete tasks such as improving sulfur dioxide levels, but, similar to climate action, demonstrates challenges with systemic problems arising from policy choices that support the expansion of environmentally damaging activities. Policy coherence is thus a significant issue due to decades of agricultural development policy, spatial and transport development policy and policy on heating technology. These policies have increased environmental burdens and significant costs to public health but are not coherently addressed across national policy silos (O’Mahony/EPA, 2020).
There is weak enforcement of EU health protection policy, and the EPA reports significant barriers in the stringency and enforcement of environmental regulation in Ireland. The EPA raises concerns relating to water stress, wastewater treatment, carbon concentration and changes in forest cover (EPA 2022 a, b, c).
Citations:
EPA. 2022a. Air Quality in Ireland 2021. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2022b. Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2021. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2022c. Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2020. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2023. Clean Air Strategy for Ireland. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
Central Statistics Office. 2022. “Environmental Indicators Ireland 2022: Air.” https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-eii/environmentalindicatorsireland2022/air/
EPA. 2020a. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 7 - Water Quality.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter7.pdf
EPA. 2020b. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 3 - Air Quality.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter3.pdf
EPA. 2020c. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 5 - Land and Soil.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter5.pdf
O’Mahony, T./EPA. 2020. “Chapter 11 Environment and Transport.” Environmental Protection Agency State of the Environment Report 2020. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter11.pdf
Policy to address environmental health risks is spread across scales, functions and sectors. Much of this policy is binding as it is transposed from EU directives. Ireland has shown progress in discrete tasks such as improving sulfur dioxide levels, but, similar to climate action, demonstrates challenges with systemic problems arising from policy choices that support the expansion of environmentally damaging activities. Policy coherence is thus a significant issue due to decades of agricultural development policy, spatial and transport development policy and policy on heating technology. These policies have increased environmental burdens and significant costs to public health but are not coherently addressed across national policy silos (O’Mahony/EPA, 2020).
There is weak enforcement of EU health protection policy, and the EPA reports significant barriers in the stringency and enforcement of environmental regulation in Ireland. The EPA raises concerns relating to water stress, wastewater treatment, carbon concentration and changes in forest cover (EPA 2022 a, b, c).
Citations:
EPA. 2022a. Air Quality in Ireland 2021. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2022b. Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies 2021. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2022c. Drinking Water Quality in Private Group Schemes and Small Private Supplies 2020. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
EPA. 2023. Clean Air Strategy for Ireland. Wexford: Environment Protection Agency.
Central Statistics Office. 2022. “Environmental Indicators Ireland 2022: Air.” https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-eii/environmentalindicatorsireland2022/air/
EPA. 2020a. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 7 - Water Quality.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter7.pdf
EPA. 2020b. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 3 - Air Quality.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter3.pdf
EPA. 2020c. “Ireland’s Environment 2020 - Chapter 5 - Land and Soil.” https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter5.pdf
O’Mahony, T./EPA. 2020. “Chapter 11 Environment and Transport.” Environmental Protection Agency State of the Environment Report 2020. https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring–assessment/assessment/state-of-the-environment/EPA-Ireland’s-Environment-2020-Chapter11.pdf
Graph View
How committed is the government to preserving ecosystems and protecting biodiversity?
10
9
9
The government is clearly committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
8
7
6
7
6
The government is largely committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5
4
3
4
3
The government is only somewhat committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
2
1
1
The government is not at all committed to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Ireland has exceeded six of the seven biospherical boundaries (CO2 emissions, material and ecological footprints, land use change and phosphorus and nitrogen) (Murphy 2023), leading to significant adverse impacts on nature and biodiversity. The Biodiversity Intactness Index ranks Ireland in the bottom 10% globally (Natural History Museum, 2020). A key driving factor is habitat loss, as Ireland – similar to the UK – spent two centuries converting land to pasture to support increased livestock numbers (CSO 2015). National agriculture policy accelerated increases in cattle and sheep in the 1970s, with cattle levels now at record highs. Agriculture occupies 67% of the territory, and Ireland has the second lowest level of terrestrial protected area in the EU at 13.9%, less than half the 30% target by 2030 (EEA, 2023). Other drivers of biodiversity loss include invasive species, pollution, and climate change. Consequently, natural habitats are virtually nonexistent in Ireland, and many semi-natural habitats continue to be impacted by human activities.
In 2019, the national parliament voted to declare both a national Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, and in 2023, the Citizen’s Assembly and the Children and Young People’s Assemblies urged the state to take decisive and urgent action. The 2017–2021 biodiversity plan was critiqued for its lack of SMART targets and KPIs. The new plan (2024) aims to address this with clear implementable actions and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, with an audit role for the National Biodiversity Forum. The new Biodiversity Action Plan has been on a statutory footing since 2023, with binding goals. However, existing policies and practices in other areas, including agriculture, may inhibit action without a systemic approach.
Citations:
Government of Ireland. 2022. Public Consultation on Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2027. Government of Ireland.
NPWS. 2022. National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. DHLGH. https://www.npws.ie/legislation/national-biodiversity-plan
DHLGH. 2024. Ireland’s 4th National Bio-Diversity Action Plan 2023-2030. Government of Ireland.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/93973-irelands-4th-national-biodiversity-action-plan-20232030/
Citizens’ Assembly. 2023. Report of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Dublin: Government Publications.
Murphy, M. P. 2023. Creating an Ecosocial Welfare Future. Bristol: Policy Press.
CSO (Central Statistics Office). 2015. Statistical Yearbook of Ireland 2015 Agriculture Crops & Livestock. https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-syi/statisticalyearbookofireland2015/agriculture/cropslivestock/
Natural History Museum. 2020. “UK in the Relegation Zone for Nature, Reveals Natural History Museum and RSPB.” https://www.nhm.ac.uk/press-office/press-releases/uk-in-the-relegation-zone-for-nature–reveals-natural-history-mu.html
European Environment Agency. 2023. “Terrestrial Protected Areas in Europe.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/terrestrial-protected-areas-in-europe?activeAccordion=546a7c35-9188-4d23-94ee-005d97c26f2b
In 2019, the national parliament voted to declare both a national Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, and in 2023, the Citizen’s Assembly and the Children and Young People’s Assemblies urged the state to take decisive and urgent action. The 2017–2021 biodiversity plan was critiqued for its lack of SMART targets and KPIs. The new plan (2024) aims to address this with clear implementable actions and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, with an audit role for the National Biodiversity Forum. The new Biodiversity Action Plan has been on a statutory footing since 2023, with binding goals. However, existing policies and practices in other areas, including agriculture, may inhibit action without a systemic approach.
Citations:
Government of Ireland. 2022. Public Consultation on Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2027. Government of Ireland.
NPWS. 2022. National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021. DHLGH. https://www.npws.ie/legislation/national-biodiversity-plan
DHLGH. 2024. Ireland’s 4th National Bio-Diversity Action Plan 2023-2030. Government of Ireland.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/93973-irelands-4th-national-biodiversity-action-plan-20232030/
Citizens’ Assembly. 2023. Report of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. Dublin: Government Publications.
Murphy, M. P. 2023. Creating an Ecosocial Welfare Future. Bristol: Policy Press.
CSO (Central Statistics Office). 2015. Statistical Yearbook of Ireland 2015 Agriculture Crops & Livestock. https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-syi/statisticalyearbookofireland2015/agriculture/cropslivestock/
Natural History Museum. 2020. “UK in the Relegation Zone for Nature, Reveals Natural History Museum and RSPB.” https://www.nhm.ac.uk/press-office/press-releases/uk-in-the-relegation-zone-for-nature–reveals-natural-history-mu.html
European Environment Agency. 2023. “Terrestrial Protected Areas in Europe.” https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/terrestrial-protected-areas-in-europe?activeAccordion=546a7c35-9188-4d23-94ee-005d97c26f2b
Graph View
To what extent is the government committed and credible in designing and promoting global environmental protection regimes and policies?
10
9
9
Government policy and institutions are fully aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
8
7
6
7
6
Government policy and institutions are largely aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
5
4
3
4
3
Government policy and institutions are somewhat aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
2
1
1
Government policy and institutions are not at all aligned with efforts to achieve global environmental sustainability.
The Department of Foreign Affairs/Irish Aid published “Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap” (2022) to align Irish environmental cooperation strategies with clearly defined capacity-building targets in recipient countries. This roadmap integrates finance, climate policy, foreign policy, and development cooperation, contributing to Ireland’s International Development Policy, “A Better World” (2022), which includes capacity-building for global environmental protection. Ireland’s climate finance is primarily grant-based and targets countries and communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, primarily through supporting climate adaptation actions.
The Programme for Government (2020) committed to doubling the proportion of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) that counts as climate finance by 2030. At UNFCCC COP26 in November 2021, Ireland set a further target of providing at least €225 million per year in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. The roadmap emphasizes support for small island states, promoting a sustainable blue economy, ocean protection and biodiversity restoration, and it acknowledges the spillover effects of national environmental policies/regulatory regimes on the global environment. Goal number 4 of the roadmap commits to supporting capacity-building in developing countries for climate-resilient development.
Senior ministries, including the Taoiseach, attend UNFCCC COP meetings, with Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan credited with significant leadership (Harrison, 2023). Although Ireland has signed up to the 1.5-degree target of the 2016 Paris Agreement, the country is not on track to achieve these goals. Ireland’s sustained requests for exemptions regarding carbon emissions from the agricultural sector and nitrogen derogations in EU targets and policy appear at odds with these commitments. Two challenges for national policy are the narrow focus on adaptation and the lack of coherent targets and monitoring of outcomes.
Citations:
Irish Aid. 2022. Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap 2022. Government of Ireland.
https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/publications/2022-Irelands-International-Climate-Finance-Roadmap-Digital.pdf
Harrison, B. 2023. “Fossil Fuel Lobbyist Fought Tooth and Nail” -Eamon Ryan on How Agreement Was Reached at Cop 28. The Irish Times, December 15. https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-the-news/fossil-fuel-lobbyists-fought-tooth-and-nail-eamon-ryan-on-how-agreement-was-reached-at-cop-28
EU Commission Representation in Ireland. 2021. “The Recovery Plan for Europe in Ireland.” https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/strategy-and-priorities/recovery-plan-europe_en
Government of Ireland. 2021. “National Statement by the Taoiseach, COP 26, Glasgow.” https://www.gov.ie/en/speech/2b865-national-statement-by-the-taoiseach-cop-26-glasgow-2-november-2021/
The Programme for Government (2020) committed to doubling the proportion of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) that counts as climate finance by 2030. At UNFCCC COP26 in November 2021, Ireland set a further target of providing at least €225 million per year in climate finance to developing countries by 2025. The roadmap emphasizes support for small island states, promoting a sustainable blue economy, ocean protection and biodiversity restoration, and it acknowledges the spillover effects of national environmental policies/regulatory regimes on the global environment. Goal number 4 of the roadmap commits to supporting capacity-building in developing countries for climate-resilient development.
Senior ministries, including the Taoiseach, attend UNFCCC COP meetings, with Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan credited with significant leadership (Harrison, 2023). Although Ireland has signed up to the 1.5-degree target of the 2016 Paris Agreement, the country is not on track to achieve these goals. Ireland’s sustained requests for exemptions regarding carbon emissions from the agricultural sector and nitrogen derogations in EU targets and policy appear at odds with these commitments. Two challenges for national policy are the narrow focus on adaptation and the lack of coherent targets and monitoring of outcomes.
Citations:
Irish Aid. 2022. Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap 2022. Government of Ireland.
https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/publications/2022-Irelands-International-Climate-Finance-Roadmap-Digital.pdf
Harrison, B. 2023. “Fossil Fuel Lobbyist Fought Tooth and Nail” -Eamon Ryan on How Agreement Was Reached at Cop 28. The Irish Times, December 15. https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-the-news/fossil-fuel-lobbyists-fought-tooth-and-nail-eamon-ryan-on-how-agreement-was-reached-at-cop-28
EU Commission Representation in Ireland. 2021. “The Recovery Plan for Europe in Ireland.” https://ireland.representation.ec.europa.eu/strategy-and-priorities/recovery-plan-europe_en
Government of Ireland. 2021. “National Statement by the Taoiseach, COP 26, Glasgow.” https://www.gov.ie/en/speech/2b865-national-statement-by-the-taoiseach-cop-26-glasgow-2-november-2021/