# CLIMATE CRISIS
Yesterday
26th January 2023
# Not a breeze
Young people are least confident in Irish government's efforts on environment
New international polling on people’s views about climate change has examined perceptions in Ireland.
International polling on people's views about climate change examines perceptions in Ireland about the threat of the crisis.
Just over one in three people in Ireland think that governments are taking necessary measures to protect the environment.
85% of Irish people polled believe that rising global temperatures are a threat to humanity.
This week
22nd January 2023 - 27th January 2023
# climate action
Net-zero climate policies will save lives by improving health, study finds
Research found retrofitting homes with insulation can be a major contributor to better health.
# Nature
Assembly on biodiversity calls on Government to reassess aims of Coillte at final meeting
The assembly’s conclusions so far include that the State has “comprehensively failed” on biodiversity.
Last week
15th January 2023 - 21st January 2023
# Fossil Fuels
Eamon Ryan 'absolutely supports' Greta Thunberg and protesters against German mine expansion
Greta Thunberg was briefly detained by German police in a protest against the destruction of a village and the mine’s expansion.
# buzzing
Electric vehicle charging points to be rolled out at sport, retail and tourism hotspots
The government also plans to make a fast charger available every 60km on motorways under a new strategy.
THE MORNING LEAD
Coillte forestry deal with British fund condemned by TDs from across political spectrum
The debate came as part of discussions on the Climate Action Plan 2023, which received a mixed response in the chamber.
# climate protest
Explainer: The story of Greta Thunberg and the small German village on brink of demolition
Here’s a breakdown of the circumstances of the protest in Germany and the activist’s short detention.
This month
January 2023
# Climate Change
ExxonMobil predicted global warming but dismissed its own research, study finds
The oil giant has faced accusations for years that it knew about the threat of global warming decades ago.
# Transport
Sale of new electric vehicles jumped 81% in 2022
15,262 new electric cars were licenced in 2022 compared to 8,554 in 2021.
# plastic waste
England to ban single-use plastic cutlery and plates two years after EU
Ireland, along with other EU members, introduced a similar move in 2021.
THE MORNING LEAD
Unpublished pensions report shows roll back on Climate Action Plan measure
Ambition for tighter scrutiny regarding the investment of pension funds in fossil fuels was quietly rolled back only months after the target was set.
Noteworthy reveals contents of unpublished government report on a proposal for tighter scrutiny on pension fund investment in fossil fuels
Before a working group had met to examine this proposed measure, it was deemed 'not prudent'
Several matters recommended by the report have not come to fruition but the measure is marked as complete
Last month
December 2022
THE MORNING LEAD
Demands on government to step up on climate crisis as new action plan takes hold
The Climate Action Plan 2023 contains a suite of measures aimed at cutting emissions – but its performance over the last year was mixed.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Substantial concern' over gap in emissions reductions as new Climate Action Plan released
The plan outlines measures for electricity, transport, agriculture and other sectors to try to meet legally-binding targets.
# Climate Change
2023 forecast to be 10th year in a row that hits one degree above pre-industrial era
Annual forecast from the Met Office says next year could be around 1.2C above pre-industrial temperatures.
Voices
Opinion: Our fields may be green, but we are failing to protect biodiversity
Professor Jane Stout looks at the COP15 UN biodiversity conference underway in Canada and reminds us why it is so important.
# Biodiversity
Pesticide lobbyists pushing against environmental protections, research finds
A UN conference in Montreal is trying to finalise a new framework for living in harmony with nature.
# deforestation
EU to ban products which contribute to deforestation
Importing companies will have to show that their products are deforestation-free.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Sustainable' investment funds in Ireland hold over $3 billion in fossil fuels
An investigation across Europe found 388 ‘sustainable’ funds that invest in fossil fuel and aviation companies.
Last year
2022
# Australia
Australia to lobby against ‘endangered’ status for Great Barrier Reef
A UN report released yesterday warned that without ‘ambitious, rapid and sustained’ climate action, the world’s largest coral reef is in peril.
# climate action
Over half of Irish Gen Zers want car-free zones in cities and the banning of domestic flights
New research studied young people’s attitudes to climate, their personal actions, and their opinions on hypothetical policies.
# Nature
Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity to hear from Dr Jane Goodall at final meeting
The assembly will send recommendations to the government on how to solve the biodiversity emergency.
# Greenhouse Gases
Ireland responsible for more emissions globally than national figures show - study
The global carbon footprint of Irish consumption is higher than what is reflected in current calculations.
# falling behind
Number of delayed climate measures snowballs as new Climate Action Plan nears
The Department of Environment was the worst performer of any government department in the third quarter of the year.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
Newsletter: COP27 has ended. It scraped a pass
“The world remains on the brink of climate catastrophe.”
# Compromise
COP27 'held the line' but more climate action still crucial - minister
The extended climate conference finally came to an agreement last night after running late into the weekend.
# COP27
COP27 summit strikes historic deal to fund climate damages
The two-week talks delivered a major breakthrough on a fund for climate loss and damage’.
THE MORNING LEAD
Qatar 2022: The carbon-neutral World Cup that never was
Qatar and FIFA promised a carbon-neutral World Cup, but experts argue it is far from that.
# COP27
Open Newsroom - COP27: What did we learn in Egypt?
Get on-the-ground, real-time analysis from the COP27 summit as it reaches its conclusion.
# Crunch time
Eamon Ryan made lead EU negotiator on crucial issue at COP27
The minister is representing the EU in talks on loss and damage supports, which he said will be “difficult” and “protracted”.
# Climate
Climatologist: 'Walking around in t-shirts in November, that's not our normal climate'
Professor Peter Thorne told The Journal that the current spell of unusually warm weather is “absolutely” linked to climate change.
# Laggard
'We cannot opt out': Minister defends record as Ireland lags mid-table in climate action report
In a new report, Ireland and Poland were the only EU countries to receive a very low rating efforts to curb emissions.
# COP27
Better food 'cold chains' are crucial for climate and world hunger, says UN report
More efficient refrigeration would prevent food waste and boost revenues for small farmers, according to the report.
# COP27
Hundreds of climate campaigners stage protest at COP27 summit
The protesters marched through the conference’s ‘Blue Zone’, which is considered a UN territory and ruled by international law.
# COP27
Joe Biden tells COP27 that the 'very life of the planet' is at stake in climate crisis
The US president told the summit that every country needs to “step up” and “renew and raise our climate ambitions”.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
€5 million allocated to adaptation funds as minister says poor COP outcome would be 'unacceptable'
Minister of State Colm Brophy said the spirit of the Paris agreement is ‘nearly dead and buried’
# urgency
Climate activists stage sit-down protest on Grafton Street en route to demand Dáil action
Campaigners are marching through Dublin to call for specific actions to thwart climate change and protect the people most impacted.
# Temperature Check
Newsletter: Russia’s war on Ukraine is the elephant in the room at COP27
Read an extract from The Journal’s climate newsletter sent straight from Egypt.
# Climate Finance
'People are dying': Coveney meets leaders of climate-vulnerable countries at COP27
Coveney is spending the day at the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, the second Irish politician to attend this year.
# COP27
The COP27 climate summit is underway - sign up to get our daily newsletter
We’re bringing you the latest updates and analysis from COP27 in Egypt.
# Adaptation
‘Future generations will not forgive us’: Taoiseach tells COP27 that climate can’t wait
Micheál Martin delivered Ireland’s national statement to the World Leaders Summit at COP27.
On Day Three of COP27, Micheál Martin has delivered Ireland's national statement to the World Leaders Summit.
He said that the situation is "urgent, but it is not hopeless".
Earlier, COP27 President Sameh Shoukry announced an agenda telling rich countries how to support four billion people most vulnerable to climate change.
