Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will also speak about climate change. On one hand, it appears that we are finally realising the urgency of the effects of climate change but on the other hand, the actions we are taking are not matching that realisation. The European Council will focus on a particular target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. That is vital because the past 20 years have included 18 of the warmest years on record. There are also heatwaves, forest fires, floods, a rise in global temperatures and the devastating effects those things are having on nature. There was a story in the newspapers last week about a village in Russia that was trying to feed polar bears that are underweight. A global response is needed and the EU has a major role to play in that.

Another aspect that must be looked at in the context of this discussion is the principle of climate justice to which the former Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, committed in the Dáil. I refer to the work of Dr. Lorna Gold from Trócaire who speaks of the need to go to war against pernicious enemies. She has said, about greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts, that the war on emissions means a war on everything that we have come to associate with a modern, successful life. Rising wealth equals a rising ecological footprint and rising emissions because we live in a high-carbon economy in which 10% of emitters contribute 50% of global emissions. The point is that the richer one is, the more one emits. Some 90% of those producing less than half of all global emissions are living in varying degrees of poverty. There is a double injustice of climate change and poverty, and climate change drives both poverty and displacement.

Even though it is four years since the signing of the Paris Agreement, we are not winning the war on tackling climate change. Scientists remind us that we have 11 years to cut our emissions in half. We also have 11 years to realise the UN's sustainable development goals and not making real inroads on climate change will undermine those goals. Those goals are voluntary and not legally binding, but they are morally binding.

I will look at sustainable development goal No. 14 on the UN's list, which relates to life below water. The targets within that goal relate to reducing marine pollution, the ecosystem, coastal and marine areas and sustainable fishing. It was positive to hear at the Parliamentarians for Global Action, PGA, forum recently the number of treaties that Ireland has signed in this area, including the Cape Town Agreement, the Agreement on Port State Measures and the International Labour Organization's work on fishing. The UN plans for a treaty to protect the high seas because they are home to a vast array of species that help to support life on earth. Tiny marine plants of the high seas produce half the earth's oxygen and yet less than 1% of the high seas are protected according to a recent report on the extent of pollution in seas and oceans. I hope that issue will be a part of the EU debate.

Overall, climate justice needs a legal basis. That leads me to a statement that was made by the EU ambassador to the African Union following a study suggesting that a core group of the world's poorest nations have received less than 10% of EU aid in spite of the fact that the EU is the world's largest donor, contributing €72 billion in 2018. We know that private investment is being actively pursued but it must be accompanied by mandatory human rights due diligence in order that workers are protected from exploitation. Ireland could lead by example, as we have with untied aid, and our national plan on business and human rights needs more weight. Corporate HR abuses include evictions, displacement, dangerous work conditions and poor wages, which affect women and indigenous communities the most. We know about the assassination and torture of human rights defenders, not to mention tax avoidance and evasion. Stronger regulation is needed and that means a legal framework. I see that human rights abusers will face asset freezes and a travel ban under the EU, as agreed by the foreign ministers on Monday, and that is a positive step. All these things are connected. Climate change, business, investment and human rights due diligence are related.

Certain countries in Europe owe a vast debt to the people of Libya because of the destruction and devastation that was caused in the rush to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi. Oil was a factor then and a gas line is a factor now. The Libyan warlord, Khalifa Haftar, backed by mercenaries, is ready to do battle for Tripoli. The EU and UN backed the Government of National Accord, which is now looking for help. Will that come up at the Council meeting?

A case has been taken by The Gambia in the International Court of Justice for the UN to recognise the genocide against the Rohingya which began in 2017. The debate on the nationality of the Rohingya, whether they are Burmese or Bengali, does not take from the fact of how they have been treated in Myanmar. There has been sexual violence, rape, the burning of homes, destruction of land and the Rohingya have been forced to flee their homes. Even if there were attacks by so-called Rohingya militants, it does not excuse or condone what is being done to the Rohingya people, in spite of what Aung San Suu Kyi is now saying at the International Court of Justice. Those 700,000 people would not have fled their homes unless there was a reason to do so.

While climate change and budgets are on the agenda, I hope the human rights issues I have raised will also be considered at the Council meeting.

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