Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Energy Charter Treaty and Energy Security: Discussion

Dr. Yamina Saheb:

-----this is what they are discussing now. I refer to differentiated phase-out of the protection of fossil fuels as if greenhouse gas emissions have recognised our administrative borders. Climate change does not recognise our administrative borders. The greatest risk is the fact that, since Russia's withdrawal from the treaty, the strategy has been to replace Russia with other countries with fossil fuel reserves. Attracting other countries has been financed so far with EU money, that is, our money as taxpayers. If we, the EU countries, stay in the treaty, our taxes will again be used to attract these countries. We know that these countries - Nigeria, for example, and other African countries - are making income out of fossil fuels. They do not have climate neutrality targets, they are not planning to stop the-----