Climate change an irreversible reality – Green Party response to IPCC report
The publication of today’s (28 Feb) report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that the impact of climate change is now an irreversible reality for every country. The report lays bare the ‘increasingly severe, interconnected and often irreversible’ impacts of climate change on ecosystems, biodiversity and human society and states that ‘climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing.’
Brian Leddin TD, Green Party Spokesperson for Climate Action and Environment and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action stated;
“Efforts to date have reduced some climate vulnerabilities but limits are already beginning to be reached. The most extreme impacts of climate change can still be avoided through much stronger adaptation and mitigation efforts but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. Minister Eamon Ryan introduced the Climate Action Plan 2021 which details what we must do in Ireland to meet our national climate objectives. We have no time to waste and every sector must step up to the mark when the sectoral carbon budgets are published in the coming weeks. Change is happening. The recent launch of the National Retrofitting Plan demonstrates how the Green Party is already delivering on climate action through practical measures that benefit families and the environment. However, we are working with our Government partners to deliver much more and much faster.”
Published as part of the IPCC’s sixth Assessment Report cycle, the report focusses on climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptation. It finds that climate change has already caused widespread adverse impacts to nature and people and that the most vulnerable are disproportionately affected.
Senator Pauline O’Reilly, Chair of the Green Party and member of the Climate Action Committee added;
“The Green Party continues to champion the needs of the most climate-vulnerable people. At COP26, Ireland, led by Minister Eamon Ryan, committed to providing €225 million per year of climate finance to developing countries by 2025. His Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is also providing €3 million for a specific Trust Fund – to support Small Island Development States to respond to the effects of climate change.”
