BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 19. We need to get renewed support for the Paris Agreement at COP29, said Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan as he addressed the summit in Baku, Trend reports.
Eamon Ryan emphasized the urgency of continued global action on climate change, stressing that the current global temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels demands renewed commitment to the Paris Agreement.
Speaking to world leaders and climate experts, Ryan highlighted the critical need for multilateral support in combating the escalating climate crisis. "Success at COP29 will not only help mitigate runaway climate change but also shape a new economy that offers sustainable development for all," Ryan said. "Giving up is unforgivable; we must focus on actions that restore confidence in global cooperation."
Ryan also pointed out that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an ongoing reality. "The impacts of climate change are already here, affecting lives worldwide, particularly in the most vulnerable and impoverished countries who bear the least responsibility for emissions," he said. Ireland, a small island nation, has already felt the adverse effects, with rising temperatures leading to increased rainfall, flooding, and coastal erosion. "We are witnessing marine heatwaves and sea-level rise that threaten our biodiversity and coastal infrastructure," he warned.
The minister also addressed the specific danger posed to Ireland by the potential collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, a crucial ocean current that brings warmer waters to the northern Atlantic.
In response to these challenges, he reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to its climate action plans, which include a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and a path to net zero by 2050. He cited the country’s progress in 2023, when emissions were reduced by 6.8%, even as Ireland’s population and economy continued to grow. "We are proving that economic growth and emissions reduction can go hand-in-hand," the minister explained.
He also voiced strong support for developing countries, emphasizing that access to reliable climate finance is essential for their ability to transition to greener economies and adapt to climate impacts. He cited an impassioned plea from the African Union during a recent negotiation round in Baku, urging that fairness—not freebies—be central to climate finance efforts. "We must ensure that financial support flows to where it is needed most," Ryan said. "This includes leveraging private, philanthropic, and innovative sources of finance to supplement official climate aid."
Ireland has committed to providing 225 million euros in climate finance by 2025, more than double its previous target, and Ryan expressed confidence the goal would be met on time. "We are committed to making sure that the most vulnerable countries are not left behind in this transition."