Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
224. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Ireland's plans for participation in COP30; the composition of the official Irish delegation; the ministerial or departmental engagements planned during the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63544/25]
View answerIreland is committed to concerted global action to address the climate crisis and engages in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement through its membership of the European Union. Ireland has actively engaged with EU partners in preparation for the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) in Belem, Brazil which is currently taking place from 10 November – 21 November.
For the first time, the World Leader’s Summit took place before the official start of COP from 6 to 7 November. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week, from 12 -13 November. I will lead Ireland’s National Delegation to COP30 for the second week of the conference, from 17 – 21 November.
Ireland’s delegation includes 56 representatives across four Government Departments and two Agencies. This number also includes two Climate Youth Delegates under my Department.
Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to priority areas for Ireland including; loss and damage, adaptation, science, and climate finance.
My engagement at COP30 will focus on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities, which includes promoting greater ambition, accelerating a shift away from fossil fuel dependence and calling for increased climate finance, with improved accessibility and quality of adaptation finance going to the most vulnerable. Once COP30 has concluded, I will be happy to provide further details in relation to my role at COP30, including a full list of the Ministerial events attended on behalf of my Department.
