According to a recent report released at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ireland’s international climate performance ranking has significantly improved in the last year.
The study evaluates 63 countries that contribute to 90% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, Ireland holds the 29th position, climbing 14 spots since last year and achieving its highest ranking to date.
This marks the first occasion in which the Republic is classified as a medium performer in terms of climate action.
Nonetheless, its performance related to greenhouse gas emissions is rated as low.
Denmark continues to lead the index for the fourth consecutive year.
The following rankings include The Netherlands, the UK, the Philippines, and Morocco.
The United States is positioned 57th in the global climate performance index.
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Political ‘divisions’ a factor – Ryan
The report indicated that divisions within the outgoing coalition government have hindered effective climate action, especially with the upcoming General Election.
During his speech in Baku, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan criticized Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, alleging that his coalition partners were obstructing measures intended to alleviate traffic congestion and related emissions.
This ranking was established by Germanwatch, an environmental organization that has assessed and ranked countries’ efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions for over two decades, in line with the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
The primary aim of this agreement is to limit “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” while striving to maintain the temperature rise to 1.5°C.
Credit: The Climate Change Performance Index
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Officials from Germanwatch have expressed concerns that the US may fall further in the rankings, particularly after Donald Trump’s election as President.
Trump has announced intentions to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement.
The lowest four positions in the index are held by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, all of which are major oil producers and are seen as laggards in climate action.
The Germanwatch report advocates for a moratorium on data centre construction in Ireland.
‘Clear unwillingness to take action’
The report highlighted Ireland’s implementation of legally binding five-year carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, alongside the establishment of a legislative framework for annual climate action plans.
Despite these advancements, the report found that effectively implementing climate policies remains challenging.
Recent projections from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that while Ireland achieved a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, insufficient progress suggests that the country is unlikely to meet its second carbon budget for 2026-2030.
Germanwatch reported that the outgoing coalition government showed clear divisions and a reluctance to take substantial action at this point in the electoral cycle.
Accepting the report’s findings, Eamon Ryan remarked that it serves as a warning signal that when challenges arise, the “so-called tough” individuals often succumb, leading to political science outweighing climate science, which could have dire consequences for the Irish populace.
On a positive note, the report reveals that Ireland’s solar power capacity has doubled over the past year, thanks to a boom in utility-scale solar initiatives and a considerable increase in small and domestic rooftop solar systems.
Minister Ryan stated that Ireland has not merely climbed but “vaulted” 14 places in this year’s rankings, shedding its previous label as a climate laggard.
He appreciated the recognition given to the progress in solar energy, attributing it to a “rooftop revolution.”
“Our transition to renewable energy sources is well underway, but as the report emphasizes, we need to accelerate our departure from fossil fuels.”
Eamon Ryan asserted that only the Greens are fully dedicated to achieving climate goals.
Credit: The Climate Change Performance Index
The report also mentions the urgent necessity for new port infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of offshore wind power and to enhance the electricity grid for large-scale electrification of heating and transport.
It warns that Ireland heavily relies on fossil fuels and calls for the immediate reinstatement of a permanent ban on LNG terminals, a halt on new data centres, and a revision of governmental legal mandates in line with climate commitments.
Internationally, the report highlights that Ireland is a strong performer in climate finance, especially concerning the newly established Loss and Damage Fund agreed upon at COP28 in Dubai last year.
Although the overall amount of climate finance from Ireland remains low, the report praises the quality of aid, which is primarily grant-based rather than loan-based.
For full report access, click here.
Continuing support for fossil fuels
OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais addressed the COP29 climate summit, describing crude oil and natural gas as a divine gift, asserting that global warming discussions should prioritize emission reductions rather than energy source selections.
His statement coincided with world governments converging in Azerbaijan to negotiate a comprehensive finance deal aimed at aiding countries in cutting emissions and adapting to climate change.
“They are indeed a gift from God,” Mr. Al Ghais remarked during his speech at the conference.
“They influence how we produce, package, and transport food and how we conduct medical research and distribute supplies. The applications are vast.”
His remarks mirrored those of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, who defended his country’s oil and gas sector against Western critiques in his opening address at the summit.
Mr. Al Ghais stated that governments should strategically pursue their climate objectives without completely abandoning petroleum.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) contends that carbon capture technologies can mitigate the climate impact associated with burning fossil fuels.
Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, also expressed support for fossil fuels.
“As the world’s population grows and the economy expands, there will be an increasing need for natural gas,” he emphasized.
He added that he hopes the COP29 agreement on climate finance will support natural gas projects to help countries transition from dirtier sources like coal.
“The outcome of COP29 should facilitate financial backing for natural gas initiatives and scaling up cleaner technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage,” he asserted.
“This is crucial to ensure a just, inclusive, and orderly energy transition that does not leave anyone behind.”
Climate scientists warn that the world is likely to exceed the 1.5°C threshold—beyond which serious climate impacts could unfold—by the early 2030s unless significant changes are made.
Current trajectories indicate a potential warming of up to 3.1°C by the end of the century, as outlined in the 2024 UN Emissions Gap report.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
