Ireland & International Commitments (Leaving Cert CASD): Revision Notes
Ireland & International Commitments
Introduction
Climate change is a global crisis that requires coordinated international action across all countries. No single nation can solve this problem alone, which is why international cooperation is absolutely essential.
Ireland plays an important role in global climate action as both an EU member state and a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This means Ireland must align its domestic climate policies with international agreements made at global climate conferences called the Conference of the Parties (COP).
The Conference of the Parties (COP) are annual global climate summits where world leaders negotiate climate action. These meetings directly influence national climate policies and set binding targets for countries like Ireland.
These international commitments have a powerful influence on Irish climate policy, determining exactly how much Ireland must reduce its emissions and by when. Understanding these commitments helps explain why Ireland has adopted such ambitious climate targets.
The UNFCCC and COP agreements
UNFCCC (1992)
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change established the global framework for tackling climate change. This groundbreaking agreement introduced the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", which means that whilst all countries must act, wealthier developed nations must take the lead in reducing emissions and supporting developing countries.
Kyoto Protocol (1997)
This protocol created the first binding emissions targets for industrialised nations. Ireland's target under Kyoto was to limit emissions growth to just 13% above 1990 levels. However, Ireland struggled significantly with this target due to rapid economic growth during the "Celtic Tiger" years, when the economy expanded much faster than expected.
Ireland's failure to meet its Kyoto targets highlighted the challenge of balancing economic growth with emissions reductions, leading to more sophisticated policy approaches in later agreements.
Paris Agreement (2015)
This landmark global agreement represents the most ambitious climate deal in history. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with an ideal target of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Under this agreement, countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are their individual climate action plans.
Recent COP meetings
- COP26 (Glasgow, 2021): Focused on setting stronger emissions targets and agreements to phase down coal use
- COP27 (Sharm El-Sheikh, 2022): Achieved a breakthrough agreement on establishing a Loss and Damage Fund to help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts
- COP28 (Dubai, 2023): Conducted the first Global Stocktake, emphasising the urgent need to triple renewable energy capacity and transition away from fossil fuels
Impact on policy development in Ireland
Legally binding targets
Ireland is bound by EU climate law, which itself reflects commitments made under the COP/Paris Agreement system. The EU has set a 55% emissions reduction target by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and Ireland must contribute fairly to achieving this ambitious goal.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 gave Ireland legally binding carbon budgets. This means Ireland now has legal limits on how much greenhouse gas it can emit over specific time periods, making climate action a legal requirement rather than just a policy aspiration.
Carbon budgets represent a major shift in Irish climate policy - they create legal limits on emissions that government must comply with, making climate action enforceable in the courts.
Sectoral policies
International commitments have driven policy changes across all major sectors of the Irish economy:
- Agriculture: There's significant pressure to reduce methane emissions, leading to debates about herd reduction and more sustainable farming practices
- Energy: Major expansion of offshore wind and solar power to meet renewable energy targets set under EU law
- Transport: Policy shifts towards public transport expansion, electric vehicle incentives, and improved cycling infrastructure
- Residential: Large-scale programmes for retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency
Financial contributions
Ireland also contributes to international climate finance, helping developing countries adapt to climate change and reduce their emissions. For example, Ireland has committed to increase its climate finance funding to €225 million annually by 2025.
Climate finance reflects the principle of climate justice - developed countries like Ireland, which have historically contributed most to climate change, have a responsibility to help developing nations adapt and transition to clean energy.
Irish contributions required to meet commitments
Emission reductions
Ireland has committed to cutting national emissions by 51% by 2030 relative to 2018 levels. This is an extremely ambitious target that requires rapid transformation across all sectors of society. The ultimate goal is carbon neutrality by 2050, meaning Ireland will need to eliminate or offset all its greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable energy
Ireland's renewable energy expansion includes several key initiatives:
- Offshore wind expansion: Ireland aims to reach 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, which would provide enough clean electricity to power millions of homes
- Solar and community projects: Increasing solar power installations and supporting community-owned renewable energy projects across the country
Worked Example: Offshore Wind Impact
Current capacity: 25 MW offshore wind (2023) Target capacity: 5,000 MW by 2030 Increase needed: 5,000 - 25 = 4,975 MW
This represents a 200-fold increase in offshore wind capacity in just 7 years, demonstrating the scale of Ireland's renewable energy transformation.
Agriculture
Agriculture presents Ireland's biggest climate challenge, accounting for over 35% of the country's emissions, mainly from methane produced by livestock. Measures being implemented include:
- Improved animal feed to reduce methane production
- Reduced fertiliser use
- Farm diversification into forestry or other land uses
- Afforestation programmes to absorb carbon dioxide
Transport
The transport sector must undergo major changes to reduce car dependence and promote cleaner alternatives:
- Expanding electrification with more electric vehicle charging points
- Investing in public transport systems like BusConnects and MetroLink
- Improving rural transport connections
- Developing better cycling infrastructure in towns and cities
Residential and energy efficiency
Ireland has launched an ambitious retrofitting programme targeting 500,000 homes by 2030. This involves improving insulation, installing heat pumps, and switching from oil and gas boilers to more efficient heating systems.
Worked Example: Home Retrofitting Scale
Total housing stock: ~2 million homes Retrofit target: 500,000 homes by 2030 Percentage of homes: 500,000 ÷ 2,000,000 = 25%
This means 1 in 4 Irish homes must be retrofitted within 7 years, requiring approximately 70,000 retrofits per year.
Key points
Key Points to Remember:
Ireland's climate policy is fundamentally shaped by international commitments made under the UNFCCC and through COP negotiations, particularly the Paris Agreement. These commitments create legally binding targets, establish carbon budgets, and drive sectoral reforms across the entire economy.
Meeting these ambitious goals requires systemic changes in energy systems, agricultural practices, transport networks, and housing, as well as Ireland's fair share of financial contributions to support global climate justice.
Exam Tips
When answering exam questions on this topic:
- Define the role of UNFCCC and COP in creating the international framework for climate action
- Outline how international commitments translate into Irish law and policy through EU regulations and domestic legislation
- Give specific examples of Irish contributions and targets, such as 51% reduction by 2030, net-zero by 2050, renewable energy expansion, and agricultural reforms
- Link to climate justice by explaining Ireland's financial support to developing nations and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities
Remember!
Essential Points:
- Ireland cannot act alone - climate change requires coordinated international action through frameworks like UNFCCC and COP
- International commitments drive domestic policy - Ireland's climate laws and carbon budgets stem directly from Paris Agreement obligations
- All sectors must contribute - agriculture, energy, transport, and housing all need major transformations
- Ambitious targets are legally binding - 51% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 are now legal requirements
- Climate justice matters - Ireland must support developing countries through international climate finance