Climate and biodiversity crisis are the greatest challenges of our time says Offaly based Minister

Junior Minister for Agriculture and Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett addresses he climate and biodiversity crises, the 'greatest challenges of our time'

I'M delighted to contribute to the celebration of Ireland’s 50 years of EEC / EU membership.

As a mother, and looking through a green lens, I have a deep concern for my children’s future, and that of our natural environment. In order to face what are the greatest challenges of our time - the climate and biodiversity crises - I return to the importance of working in union with others, of sharing knowledge and innovation and of a common support for our most vulnerable.

In 2020, under the European Green Deal, the EU agreed targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels). It also pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Some will argue that even this commitment is too late, that member states were reluctant to get to the table to negotiate the Green Deal; and it is not surprising given the difficult conversations and decisions that lie ahead as a result.

But it is the only deal we have, and it is imperative EU member states work proactively together as partners to achieving them - through policy, and if needs be further legislative change. This is particularly challenging for Ireland, given our position amongst the largest emitters of greenhouse gases per capita of the EU.

And yet, from laggards to leaders – we are stepping up to the challenge, with EU support. One of our MEPs in the Ireland South constituency, which includes Offaly, is my Green Party colleague Grace O’Sullivan. Grace is a fierce advocate for social justice and the environment.

We know that climate change is impacting most on those who are the least responsible - those communities and countries who are the lowest emitters. I saw this first hand in my recent visit to Tanzania and Kenya - the latter heading into its 6th growing season without rain.

Green Party leader, Minister Eamon Ryan, acted as lead EU negotiator on a new ‘Loss and Damage’ fund at last year’s COP27, with almost 200 countries present. And for the first time, the richer, high emitting countries reached agreement to assist developing countries that are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

I am acutely aware of the ongoing consequences of the end of peat extraction and the closure of peat fired power plants in my own area. And again, the EU is helping Ireland to help these communities.

The recently launched EU Just Transition Fund will support sustainable economic development in the Midlands, by promoting employment generation projects in those communities directly affected by the transition away to a low carbon economy.

Ireland is a net contributor to the EU but we have and continue to benefit enormously from targeted funding, including on our doorsteps. Our farmers and rural communities also benefit from a new Common Agricultural Policy that has redistributed subsidies in a way that brings greater fairness to smaller farmers across the country.

I regularly hear the ‘What about China?’ type excuses for not acting on climate. My response? What about the EU? Ireland is not an insignificant drop in the ocean when we consider we are in a union of 450 million people. And we have the possibility, including here in the Midlands, to be a global leader in building a resilient healthy economy based around climate action, sustainable food production and nature restoration.

Our response to climate change and nature restoration over the next 10 years is critical to global political, social and economic stability and ultimately our very survival as a species. And I’m glad we face this with the support of EU membership. Long may that continue and thrive.