Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. Deputy O'Sullivan referred to resistance to change from oil and gas companies and oil and gas-producing countries. I agree with Deputies Farrell, Durkan and O'Sullivan regarding our responsibility to scale up the use of renewables. Approximately 40% of the electricity we produce is from renewable sources. We are aiming for in the region of 80% by 2030. We think that is achievable. It needs to be done, not just through offshore and onshore wind but also by means of solar and battery storage and interconnection. We should not underestimate the challenge in getting that done. The energy systems we have were built up over generations. We are going to try and change them in a relatively short period. That is going to be a challenge for every country, not least Ireland.

Deputy Barry asked about expectations on a final agreement. The negotiations have entered a critical phase as we move to conclude the first cycle of the global stocktake. The latter assesses progress made in implementing the Paris Agreement and provides the context for countries to update their greenhouse gas reduction commitments and agree a new collective climate finance goal for next year. The latest negotiating text published yesterday is not acceptable. The text on fossil fuels in particular is weak and unacceptable to us, the Americans and others. We want to see ambitious language on fossil fuels. Global emissions need to peak by 2025, and we need to reach net zero by 2050. Therefore, the phasing out of fossil fuels in a just and orderly way is essential. While abatement technologies can play a role, they will be limited to those sectors where it is hardest to reduce emissions, like steel and concrete.

Negotiations are continuing. I hope that progress can be made and an ambitious outcome achieved. The outcome must include ambitious action on mitigation before and after 2030, on adaptation and on implementation, including aligning global finance flows with these goals.

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