Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Conference of Parties 21 in Paris in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43469/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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COP21 is the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is currently taking place in Paris until 11 December 2015. 196 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are currently in Paris in an effort to negotiate a new legally binding global agreement on climate change. The Paris agreement should provide an enabling platform for all Parties to pursue low-carbon, climate-resilient sustainable development taking account of national circumstances and changes in those circumstances over time. The Agreement and supporting decisions should put the world on a collective pathway to limit the average global temperature increase to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. An ambitious agreement is in Ireland’s interests – firstly, it will protect us from the impacts of climate change; secondly, it will allow us to pursue transition to a low-carbon future on a level playing field with other countries; and finally, some of Ireland’s key partner countries from a development perspective are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The current negotiations are challenging for all countries and compromises will be required. It will be more important than ever to demonstrate the ability of Governments to work together to solve global problems and to meet challenges in a spirit of co-operation. The agreement therefore should be fit for purpose in terms of setting out a clear direction of travel for the long term , inclusive of core rules regarding participation and transparency.

Ireland’s target under the new agreement will be part of the already tabled EU target of an at least 40% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions compared to 199 0 by 2030, as agreed by the European Council in October 2014. No new targets will be agreed for Ireland in Paris – this will be discussed by EU Member States in 2016 in terms of the effort sharing process to be agreed at EU level.

The outcome of the Conference will need to send a strong signal to all actors that Governments are committed to supporting the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future. The Taoiseach underlined Ireland’s specific commitment in this respect, when delivering our National Statement at COP 21 last week.