Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My amendments are included in that grouping and I will speak to them. As I begin, I wish to note that it would be useful, between now and Report Stage, if I could be provided with more clarity because I did not get the clarity that I asked for on emission removals. It was not clear to me whether we are going for the EU model, whereby there are two separate targets, or the Scottish model, whereby there is a combined target. That is a key principle and a key question in the budget that has not been resolved. I would like more information on that between now and Report Stage. It would be very useful. We all want "removals" included but the question is about how they are calculated and measured, and how they are reflected in our ambition.

The reason that everything counts is because we are in debt. We are starting this process having been one of the great drivers and causes, along with others in Europe and the developed world, of climate change. We are part of that. We have a particular responsibility in regard to taking action. We must look at everything we can do. My concern at the moment relates to how we often speak about different places that mean a lot to us and have a place in our hearts. I have a place that is in my heart when I talk about climate change, it means a lot to me, and that is Malawi. I went to Malawi, where each person produces 0.11 tonnes of carbon emissions compared with more than 8 tonnes for every person in Ireland, and saw, in 2008, the people there dealing with ruined lives due to the impacts of climate change. They are very much in my heart. My heart breaks when I look at the definition of "climate justice" that is proposed in this Bill. I do not believe it is a definition that can be stood over or that people could stand by. I do not believe it is a definition - if I can refer to my figures, because this is important - or language that we can accept.

The language in the Bill adds insult to injury in that is sets out a definition of climate justice that lacks any reference to the injustice and damage that has been done across the world or to the causes of the injustice, or to the basic principles in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of what it calls "common but differentiated responsibilities". It is that fact of recognising that we all need to do what we can on climate change but that certain countries have a greater responsibility because they are the greatest cause. Other countries that we have been campaigned with, that I campaigned with to stop climate change alongside the Minster, many years ago, pointing out those who have done the least to cause climate change but have suffered its worst effects. It is a well-established principle which is not reflected in any way in the definition. The definition in the Bill does not refer to the past or the wealth of the developed world which was built on the back of damage done to others. It states: "the requirement that decisions and actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions [so in the future] and to adapt to the effects ... shall, in so far as it is practicable to do so, safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable persons". This definition states "so far as it is practicable to do so" in terms of safeguarding rights. I have seen language like "progressive realisation" attached to rights. We know that rights are not always able to be delivered immediately. To attach "so far as it is practicable to do so" to the idea of safeguarding rights is a disgraceful abrogation of responsibilities. It refers to "the most vulnerable persons", again it does not state who or where the most vulnerable people are. It does not acknowledge the international aspect of it. Unfortunately, when I spoke with some of the Minister's officials, they talked about vulnerable people in Ireland. That comes under the just transition which we will get the chance to speak about, even though a definition of that is not in the Bill. In terms of climate justice, we need clarity that Ireland recognises that it has a responsibility to people throughout the world. I would like clarity from the Minister on that because I have heard different signals on it. It states the sharing of "the burdens and benefits arising from climate change" but with the word "equity" gone.

I will go through the six amendments that I have proposed in this area. One is about the definition that was put forward by the climate committee. The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, put forward, agreed after many hours-----