Countries including Ireland are still not doing enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees according to new UN analysis.
The NDC (nationally determined contributions) Synthesis Report examined the reported efforts of 166 countries to reduce their national emissions.
Ireland’s performance comes under the banner of the European Union’s 27 member states while Northern Ireland and and the UK are combined.
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The report’s findings, published just two weeks ahead of this year’s global climate change conference, have been described as “stark”.
It found current commitments will increase emissions 10.6% by 2030, compared to 2010 instead of driving them down.
But the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which oversees COP27 says there are also “glimmers of hope”.
The downward trend in emissions expected by 2030 shows nations have made some progress this year,” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.
“But the science is clear and so are our climate goals under the Paris Agreement.
“We are still nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required to put us on track toward a 1.5 degrees Celsius world. To keep this goal alive, national governments need to strengthen their climate action plans now and implement them in the next eight years.”
The Irish Government committed to a range of initiatives aimed at driving down emissions at COP26. Their declarations were:
- Support clean energy transition, end new direct public support for the international unabated fossil fuel energy sector by the end of 2022, except in limited and clearly defined circumstances
- Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance’ to work together to facilitate managed phase-out of oil and gas production
- Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement to accelerate transition away from unabated coal power generation
- Global Methane Pledge to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030
- Glasgow Declaration on Forests and Land Use to end net deforestation and accelerate forest restoration by 2030
- Breakthrough Agenda to accelerate development/deployment of clean technologies and sustainable solutions this decade
- Zero Emission Shipping by 2050
- Supporting Conditions for a Just Transition Internationally
- Green Grids Initiative to accelerate new grid infrastructure/advanced power systems for a world powered by clean energy
- Framework for Governments to establish maritime ‘green corridors’.
- New car and vans sales all zero emission by 2040 globally, or by 2035 in leading markets
- Long-term goal on the reduction of CO2 emissions in line with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement and increase use of sustainable fuels for International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition
- Support greater link between ocean and climate change
A spokesperson from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications said: “Ireland is committed to pledges made at COP26. We are working with the EU and engaging with the relevant groups as we finalise preparations for COP27.
“The commitments made remain priority issues for Ireland and we will continue to advance these objectives at COP27, particularly matters that aim to accelerate the global shift to clean energy and break our long-term dependence on fossil fuels such as through the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, the Breakthrough Agenda and Clean Energy Transition.”
