Ireland set to meet 2025 target of €225m in aid for climate-vulnerable countries, says Tánaiste

Ireland is on track to reach its target of providing at least €225 million in climate finance to developing countries per year by 2025, according to Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

“Climate finance is crucial in the fight against climate change. Irish Aid and our partners are helping the most vulnerable to build resilience and to adapt. We remain on track for reaching our target of providing at least €225 million in climate finance to developing countries per year by 2025,” he added.

This follows publication on Friday of Ireland’s climate and environmental finance report for 2022, which shows it provided €121 million in climate finance to developing countries in 2022; an increase of 21 per cent from 2021. Produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs, it outlines the levels, channels and focus of Government funding provided to support climate action and environmental protection in developing countries.

Launching the report, the Tánaiste said this funding was a critical support for least developed countries and small island states of the south Pacific.

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“Last year was the hottest ever on record. The wildfires, droughts and flash flooding that affected millions across the world have brought home the brutal realities of climate change. Countries and communities who have done the least to bring about this crisis are the ones hit hardest by its impacts,” Mr Martin said.

As a consequence, 80 per cent of funding would contribute to initiatives that support developing countries to adapt to the inevitable negative impacts of climate change, he said.

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Seán Fleming said: “People in some of the poorest countries in the world are suffering disproportionately. Ireland’s climate finance has more than doubled since 2015 and will grow further in the years ahead. This report demonstrates our commitment to reaching the furthest behind first and to channelling support to those most at risk of being left behind as a result of the climate crisis.”

Climate action is one of four priority areas for Irish Aid, the Government’s official development assistance programme. The DFA provided 65 per cent of the 2022 funding (€78 million); Department of Finance provided 16 per cent (€19 million); Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications provided 15 per cent (€17.8 million); and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries provided 4 per cent (€5.4 million).

A total of 84 per cent of total bilateral climate finance, which is spent through Irish civil society organisations and Ireland’s overseas mission network, was channelled to least developed countries most of which are in the Global South and in sub Saharan Africa.

In 2022 the Government published an international climate finance roadmap which commits to the 2025 target. It also expanded the scope of support to areas such as ocean protection, enhancing biodiversity and responding to climate-induced “loss and damage” in developing countries.

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