Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The amendment proposes to insert a definition of the UN sustainable development goals into the Bill.I propose this amendment because in subsequent amendments Senator Higgins references the SDGs and, given Ireland has signed up to these, it is important that we reflect our international obligations in how the higher education sector functions into the future. I urge the Minister to accept this amendment as it is an exact copy of the definition the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, has in the circular economy Bill and is a much better reference point to sustainability than the current interpretation of "environmental development and sustainability". Ireland helped negotiate the SDGs, they are a blueprint for how we live together on this fragile planet and to omit them in favour of an outdated and dangerous reference to sustainability is not acceptable.

On amendments Nos. 3 to 7, inclusive, the current interpretation of "environmental development and sustainability" in this Bill is not adequate, involves an outdated understanding of the concept and represents a backward step. The Minister's Department informed Senator Higgins that the definition comes from the 1987 Brundtland report from the World Commission on Environment and Development. This commission was dissolved in 1987 and predates the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, which Ireland negotiated and which form the blueprint for how we might live together sustainably and equitably and share this planet.

I have proposed a number of amendments to it, including a straight deletion, as I believe it would be better not to use this definition, given how imprecise it is and how much it could undermine climate action in our higher education sector. The reference to future generations is not in itself objectionable, but when it is the sole metric against which we measure what we do it is dangerous. The climate crisis is not some faraway future crisis that we benevolently are deciding to begin to address out of the kindness of our hearts; it is here now and millions of people across the world are suffering and dying because of its effects. If we look to Bangladesh we see approximately 10 million climate refugees as a result of floods; if we look to the Horn of Africa we see one person dying from hunger every 48 seconds and 5.7 million children being acutely malnourished. This is not happening in a vacuum. The climate crisis is already disrupting food supply across the African continent and in the immediate future the situation will worsen.

I have also proposed on behalf of Senator Higgins inserting "climate justice" into the definition and a recognition of historic responsibility for climate change and its effects on current populations. This is to ensure that we have a recognition in our higher education sector and in the sectoral policies towards climate of our common but differentiated responsibilities and of our historic responsibility for emissions. That is why the alternative interpretations we have suggested reference climate justice and historic responsibility for emissions.

I urge the Minister to accept one of these amendments because as it stands this language is regressive, outdated and dangerous if it is the frame for action on environmental development and sustainability in our education sector.

I withdraw amendment No. 13 as it was resubmitted in error.