Over €150 million spent on international climate finance in 2023

Ireland spent €159.2 million on international climate finance in 2023, according to the Climate and Environmental Finance Report launched today (Sunday, March 30).

The report, which is produced annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, describes the levels and focus of funding provided by the Irish government to support climate action and environmental protection in developing countries.

The report showed an increase in funding during 2023 of 32% in Ireland’s climate finance as compared to 2022 when the government's roadmap began.

The roadmap sets out the plan for realising the target announced by the Taoiseach at COP26 to provide at least €225 million in climate finance per year by 2025.

The roadmap also expands the scope of support to areas where Ireland can bring further added value to international climate action, such as ocean protection, enhancing biodiversity and responding to climate-induced loss and damage.

The spending includes financing provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (€105.7 million); the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (€24.1 million); the Department of Finance (€23.9 million), and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) (€5.5 million).

DAFM spent €5 million in finance on the UN’s World Food Programme – the world’s largest humanitarian organisation - to support work in strengthening resilience to climate change.

A range of climate relevant programmes operated by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, which works to achieve food security, also received funding.

Launching the report, Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond said that the report "demonstrates Ireland’s strong commitment".

“2024 was the warmest year on record, and the first year to pass 1.5° above pre-industrial levels. From increased wildfires, storms, drought, flooding – none of us are immune from the effects of climate change.

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“I saw some of Ireland’s climate finance work in action on my recent trip to Kenya and I can testify that this money is making a difference to communities who are hit hard by a combination of poverty, conflict and worsening climate change," Minister Richmond said.

The minister added that Ireland is on track to meet targets of providing €225 million in climate finance in 2025, which doubles the support since 2020. It is estimated Ireland will provide in the region of €190 million in climate finance in 2024.

The report shows that 86% of Ireland’s total climate finance supported adaptation to climate change. A total of 66% targeted adaptation measures only, while 20% targeted both adaptation and mitigation.

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