Taoiseach Micheál Martin will begin a two-day official visit to Belém in Brazil today to participate in the COP30 leaders' summit which will set the tone for climate negotiations over the coming two weeks.
He will attend the opening plenary of the summit today before delivering Ireland's national statement later today.
Over the course of the two days, the Taoiseach will join leaders at two thematic sessions to discuss climate issues of common concern, and will have the opportunity to meet with other leaders over the course of the summit.
He will attend a lunch hosted by Brazil’s president Lula, and endorse a new initiative to save tropical rainforests including the Amazon rainforest, being championed by Mr Lula.
It is a declaration to establish a finance facility called the Tropical Forests Forever Facility to channel large-scale finance to countries that keep rainforests standing.
Negotiations to establish and operationalise the funding mechanism, and ensure it will be used properly to prevent the exploitation and degradation of tropical rainforests forests, will be part of COP30.
It is understood that the Taoiseach’s national statement on behalf of Ireland will emphasise that climate change is a reality right now, highlighted in Ireland most recently by the impact of Storm Éowyn, but also by record-breaking weather events across the globe.
He is also expected to underscore how it is the poorest and most vulnerable who suffer the worst impacts of climate change.
His address will highlight how Ireland is reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite population growth of 50% since the 1990 climate baseline.
He will also say there is more to do however, and that the government needs to help citizens make the transition.
The Taoiseach will also say Ireland recognises that accessible climate finance is the key to achieving decarbonisation and climate resilience globally - especially for vulnerable countries.
Four years ago, at COP26, Ireland committed to double its contribution to international climate finance to €225m by 2025. The Taoiseach will confirm that target is set to be achieved this year.
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Tomorrow, he will visit the UN Refugee Agency’s office in Belém to meet groups supported by the agency in the area.
So far in 2025, Ireland has provided over €25.5m in funding to the agency.
Speaking ahead of his attendance, Mr Martin said no country can address climate change alone.
"In the 12 months since COP29 in Azerbaijan, we have experienced a litany of record-breaking climate events. No country can successfully address climate change alone.
"COP30 is an opportunity for nations like Ireland to recommit to the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement to limit emissions in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
"COP30 is also particularly important for Ireland because the next COP will take place while Ireland holds the Presidency of the EU and we will lead at the negotiations for the EU at COP31," he said.
