Environment minister defends 'far from perfect' COP29 climate agreement
Eamon Ryan said he was proud of the role that the Irish team played in the negotiations, and said the deal provides a foundation that can be built upon
The climate minister has said the COP29 agreement struck late on Saturday is “far from perfect”, but is a foundation that can be built on in an uncertain world.
Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said it was a hopeful step towards ensuring financial fairness for the countries that need it most.
Groups have criticised the climate conference’s $300 billion (€286 billion) funding agreement – designed to help developing nations combat the impacts of global warming – as insufficient.
Mr Ryan, who along with his counterpart from Costa Rica was negotiating on adaptation, said he was proud of the Irish team’s work in the talks.
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He said: “We protected the aim to transition away from fossil fuels reached in Dubai last year, despite attempts by fossil fuel countries to disrupt the process, and we overcame real difficulties in the negotiation process to still get a deal over the line. I am particularly proud of the role our Irish team played in the negotiations.
“We have a proud record in climate finance for adaptation and can help build bridges between north and south in our world.” Many were less than impressed with the final sum as impacted nations had said €1.3trillion (€1.24tn) needed.
However, the new bursary is three times more than the $100 billion (€96 billion) a year 2009 deal that is soon to expire.
Mr Ryan said: “There was an imperative on us all to deliver here in Baku. To walk away would have been unforgivable and shameful given the scale of the crisis.
“This agreement is far from perfect... but it keeps the core principles of the Paris Agreement alive and it gives us a basis to work from as we move forward to make COP30 in Brazil transformational.”
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