Ireland's COP27 team has been praised for its role in getting a “historic” loss and damage fund for developing countries over the line to help those suffering climate catastrophes.
However, serious concerns have been raised about the Egyptian summit’s failure “to call on countries to phase-out fossil fuels”.
The global climate conference, due to end Friday, raged into the early hours of Sunday as delegations ironed out a final agreement after days of fears no deal would be reached.
Irish climate minister and EU lead negotiator Eamon Ryan says while compromises were made, the loss and damage breakthrough means “millions of people whose land, water sources and livelihoods are being eroded every day because climate change can look forward to strengthened support and protection”.
Minister Ryan shared his ‘pride’ in Irish civil servants Sinead Walsh, Jen Hobbs, Emer Griffin and Martin Collins who were central to making the standout ask at COP27, happen.
And said the first of its kind move could pave the way to getting funding from “sectors like aviation, shipping and the fossil fuel industry”.
Delegations from around the world agreed there will be “no backsliding or backtracking” on the Paris Agreement, which saw countries agree to try and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
But many fear failure to agree to ‘phase out’ all fossil fuels at COP27 puts that target at risk.
COP President HE Sameh Shoukry said at the closing plenary: “This was not easy. We worked around the clock.
“Long days and nights. Strained and sometimes tense, but united and working for one aim, one higher purpose, one common goal that we all subscribe to and aspire to achieve. In the end we delivered.”
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, said the summit “outcome moves us forward” but warned this is a critical decade for climate action.
“We have determined a way forward on a decades-long conversation on funding for loss and damage.. [and the text] gives the key political signals that indicate the phasedown of all fossil fuels is happening.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “Our planet is still in the emergency room.
“We need to drastically reduce emissions now – and this is an issue this COP did not address.
“To have any hope of keeping to 1.5, we need to massively invest in renewables and end our addiction to fossil fuels.”
COP27 saw over 45,000 people including indigenous peoples, local communities, cities, civil society, children and young people share how the climate crisis impacts their lives.
To them, Mr Guterres said: “I say we share your frustration. But we need you now more than ever. We can and must win this battle for our lives.”
Minister Ryan admitted the final deal “is not perfect”.
He added: “Without mitigation, the more adaptation we have to do and the more Loss and Damage will cost. We have to keep 1.5 alive to keep people alive.”
Ross Fitzpatrick from Christian Aid welcomed the loss and damage first.
He said: “It is thanks to the unwavering efforts of developing countries and civil society that a fund has finally been agreed. “Now we have to ensure this decision translates quickly to actual money and support reaching developing countries suffering from a climate crisis not of their making.”
Trocaire’s Siobhan Curran says loss and damage funding can’t operate in isolation of emissions cuts.
“The failure to include a phase out of all fossil fuels in the final decision is disappointing and ultimately this sets us on a course for losses and damages that will escalate beyond the scope of any fund.
“Despite this, countries should rapidly scale up mitigation efforts in the coming years.”
Commenting on her return from COP27, Clare O’Connor, Friends of the Earth Policy Officer, said: “This gain in Loss and Damage is undermined by the failure of COP27 to call on countries to phase-out fossil fuels, a reminder of the iron grip this polluting industry still has on negotiations.
“Not calling for an equitable phase-out of coal, oil, and gas puts the global warming limit of 1.5C in serious jeopardy.
“This is not an acceptable outcome in 2022 while we are watching the climate crisis unfold in real-time across the world.”
Meanwhile, Ireland has announced a number of donations at COP27 this year. They include:
- €10m - Global Shield against Climate Risks to provide more protection and faster responses to countries facing extreme weather
- €2m - Least Developed Countries Fund to support adaptation activities in climate vulnerable countries
- €2m - African Development Bank for activities supporting adaptation in African countries
- €2m - Special Climate Change Fund to support adaptation action in Small Island Developing States
- $1m - Climate and Clean Air Coalition to improve air quality through reducing climate pollutants
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