Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 231: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the clearing of rain forests in Nigeria at a time of major concern about global warming and carbon emissions; his plans to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4183/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Global warming is a serious concern to everyone. We are all increasingly aware of the threat this now poses to humanity. The Government is strongly committed to fulfilling its international obligations to reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.

However, global warming cannot be solved by one country alone — it requires the commitment of all nations in the world. Rain forests play a very important role in preventing global warming. They help to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. They also release oxygen into the environment. In doing so, they provide benefits not just to the countries where they are located, but to all nations and peoples.

Most of the world's rain forest is located in the developing countries, including Nigeria. There are reports of significant industrial logging taking place in Cross River State, the location of the last remaining rain forests in Nigeria. Rain forests once covered about 30% of the earth's land surface but this figure has now fallen to about 6%. Preserving the remaining rain forest presents a serious challenge, but it cannot be left to individual countries alone. It requires a concerted international effort. One way to encourage poorer countries to avoid further deforestation is to reward those that protect rain forests through the provision of economic incentives.

Ireland will continue to play its part in supporting international efforts to preserve the rain forests and the rights of those who live there. The Irish Aid Environmental Policy commits Ireland to addressing global environment problems through our engagement with bodies such as the United Nations and the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD. It also commits Ireland to supporting the efforts of partner governments and civil society at country level and to work closely with other donors in ensuring a coordinated response to environmental challenges.

Ireland, through Irish Aid, supports a number of organisations involved in climate change. This includes the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which has launched a strategic initiative on climate change. The CGIAR is a network of 15 institutions dedicated to pro poor agricultural research and the transfer of the results as rapidly as possible to those working on the ground. This initiative, which Ireland supports, assigns climate change a central place in their work.

Irish Aid also supports, in cooperation with the Department of the Environment, the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change which manages two funds, the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund. Both of these are assisting countries to adapt to the impact of climate change. Irish Aid also supports a number of key international institutions including the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) all of which are active in policy and advocacy on climate change including the issue of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation.