Minister Joe O’Brien Welcomes IPCC Report

23rd March, 2023

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched their 6^th annual report this week, and while the message is stark, it also points to options we, as a society, have in tackling manmade emissions.

 

Commenting on the report, Joe O’Brien TD said:

 

“The IPCC Report makes for tough reading, but it also highlights the need for action, action we must take now.

 

“The report also has several suggestions that can be taken to combat global climate change and I’m pleased many of these, like greenhouse gas reduction targets, better land and waterway management, reductions on waste and improved transport are already included in the Climate Action Plans launched by this Government and the Green Party.”

 

The IPCC report highlights how great the challenge we have when it comes to climate change. More than a century of burning fossil fuels as well as other unsustainable practices have led to a 1.1°C temperature increase above those of pre-industrial levels.

 

The Synthesis Report combines findings on climate science, mitigation, and adaptation – to paint the full picture of climate change and its challenges. The science clearly shows that the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions are fossil energy use; unsustainable land use and land-use change; and unsustainable patterns of consumption and production.

 

This is leading to a decrease of available food and water resources as well as people dying due to extreme temperatures, often disproportionally impacting the poorest nations. Over 3 billion people are highly vulnerable to climate change.

 

As bleak as the report is, it also points to realistic and tangible solutions. However, action must be taken now. Effective international cooperation on targets and sectoral transformation is critical – to reduce emissions and to restrict global warming.

 

While the IPCC suggests climate, ecosystems and society are interconnected, better use of our land, freshwater and ocean habitats and improvements in transport, industry and food sectors, the Green Party has already set out a framework to reach these goals.

 

 

Climate Action Plan and Circular Economy Bill

 

As part of this Government, the Green Party is committed to climate action; passing one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world and mobilising the public and private sectors to deliver emissions reductions.

 

The Green Party has launched the Climate Action Plan “to address the climate and biodiversity crisis threatening our safe future on this planet”. This sets out to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 by an average of 7% per annum and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

 

The Government have also brought in the Circular Economy Bill to help reduce the amount of material waste in Ireland. This was signed into law in July last year. Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out how Ireland can accelerate the actions to respond to this crisis, putting climate solutions at the heart of Ireland’s social and economic development.

 

 

ENDS