Minister delivers Ireland's National Statement at the UN High-Level Political Forum in New York

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien has set out Ireland’s commitment to sustainable development at the United Nations ‘High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development’ in New York today (Monday).
Minister O'Brien explained:
“This year’s High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development comes at a critical time, as we continue our collective journey towards 2030 and as we seek to urgently accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals – especially for the furthest behind.
“Especially now, we can see the importance of strengthening inclusive partnerships and focusing on impacts – across governments, the UN system, civil society, the private sector and under-represented groups, as well as women, youth and academia.”
At the HLPF this year Ireland – along with The Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the International Renewable Agency (IRENA), and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) – is leading and co-hosting an official Side Event. The Side Event is titled ‘Accelerating SDG 7: Building Bridges for the Clean Energy Transition: How Governments, Institutions and Civil Society can Partner to Decarbonise Island Nations, from Europe to the Pacific’.
During his time at the HLPF, Minister O'Brien is also attending a number of special events. These include a High-Level Plenary on Critical Energy Transitions and a Special Event on Financing Resilient Agrifood Systems in the context of the current crisis.
Minister O'Brien will also attend several bilateral meetings, with representatives from Albania, Canada, Japan, the Marshall Islands, Saudia Arabia and Tuvalu. He will also meet representatives of academia and civil society, as well as youth representatives. Minister O’Brien will also meet with UN Assistant Secretary General Selwin Hart, as preparations are underway in advance of COP31 which takes place in Antalya, Turkey in November 2026.
National Statement
The National Statement – delivered by Minister O'Brien – can be viewed on the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment website at this link: National Statement by Minister Darragh O’Brien at the UN High-Level Political Forum 2026. 

• Economic growth has been decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions, following fourth consecutive year of emissions reductions
• Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 36 years

The Environmental Protection Agency’s provisional greenhouse gas emissions inventory for 2025 shows that Ireland continues its progress towards its ambitious emissions reduction targets. The first Carbon Budget has been achieved on the back of the fourth consecutive year in which emissions have fallen.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 36 years, which is notable given a concurrent increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads.
Economic growth has been definitively decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions, as Ireland’s economy continued to grow strongly in 2025 while emissions were reduced. Emissions have also continued to fall in the context of Ireland’s fast-growing population, with emissions per household at record lows in 2025.
Emissions fell last year in all the main sectors of the economy, including a 7.1% reduction in energy industries – to an all-time low – as our investment in renewable electricity continues to pay off. Electricity generation from renewables has increased fivefold since 2005. Regularly throughout the first half of 2026 almost half of Ireland’s electricity demand came from renewable sources. Ireland now generates a record amount of electricity while emissions from the sector continue to fall. The transport sector has also seen a further reduction in emissions in 2025, as higher use of biofuels and accelerating uptake of electric vehicles are making an impact.
Commenting on the report, Minister O’Brien said:
“I welcome the publication of the EPA’s greenhouse gas inventory report for 2025. As we continue our efforts to transform Ireland’s economy to a climate-neutral one, it is very encouraging to see that emissions have continued to fall for the fourth year in a row.
“I am pleased to see that the provisional inventory shows that we have successfully achieved the first Carbon Budget – a very significant achievement as our economy and population continue to grow.
“Now is the time to continue our efforts right across Government, and preparations are currently underway for the next update to the Climate Action Plan which will have a strong focus on delivering the highest-impact measures to reduce our emissions while improving the quality of life of people in Ireland.”

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Ports Seán Canney today announced the launch of a public consultation on the draft revision of the National Ports Policy, following Government approval.
The public consultation launches today, 3 July, and will remain open for eight weeks.
The revised National Ports Policy is a key element of Ireland’s transport strategy, aiming to ensure international connectivity in a sustainable manner. It implements the Programme for Government commitments to support investment in our commercial and passenger port infrastructure, supporting offshore renewable energy development and ensuring ports have the future capacity to meet the needs of our economy.
Minister O’Brien said: “The revision of the National Ports Policy sets out the updated policy framework for the State-owned commercial port sector. Ports are crucial to our economic well-being and a key enabler of our renewable energy future. I encourage members of the public, industry stakeholders and businesses to engage with this consultation.”
“The revision builds on the success of its predecessor, the National Ports Policy 2013. That policy provided the platform for our State-owned commercial port network to align with both the national planning framework and national development goals, and the EU’s Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Network. The revision also sets out a new roadmap to ensure that our ports continue to develop the infrastructure required to support Ireland’s trade and sustainability goals into the future.”
Minister Canney said: “I welcome the milestone of this draft revision of the National Ports Policy.  I have a deep appreciation of the balance provided by the large commercial Ports of National Significance, and the smaller community-based Ports of Regional Significance. Our ports are critical national assets, supporting trade, connectivity, regional development and Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable economy."
“I look forward to the same high level of stakeholder engagement in this second public consultation as was achieved during the first, which was based on a thematic Issues Paper. Over 70 responses to that consultation were received and carefully assessed by officials in my Department.”

Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power station hosts Irish and European energy experts for electrification conference

As Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, energy, transport and industry experts gathered at Ardnacrusha in County Clare to discuss the ambitious drive towards electrification across the continent. Reflecting on the role the Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha played in Ireland’s initial electrification 100 years ago, attendees heard from Irish and European experts on the transformative impacts of clean, home-grown electricity.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien set out Ireland’s energy priorities for our EU Presidency and Ireland’s drive towards becoming an electrostate.
Commenting on the significance of Ardnacrusha’s legacy, and on Ireland’s role as we assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Minister O’Brien said:
“Ardnacrusha stands as a powerful reminder that when Ireland chooses to think boldly, we can change the course of our own history. Today, Ireland once again stands at the threshold of a transformation as profound as any moment in our national story.
“The journey toward a fully electrified society is not simply a technical project. It is not just about wires, grids, turbines, batteries or infrastructure. It is a reimagining of how Ireland will live, how we will thrive, and how we will lead.
“This moment takes on even greater significance as Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The challenge before us is different from the challenge of Ardnacrusha, but the opportunity is even greater.
“A fully electrified Ireland and a fully electrified Europe is not merely an energy system. It is a new social contract: one built on resilience, fairness and shared prosperity. It is a chance to create a Europe that is cleaner, smarter and more connected than anything we have known before. A Europe where communities are empowered, where homes are warmer, where industries are more competitive, where energy is more secure, and where the transition works for people in every region.
“Almost a century ago, the visionaries who built Ardnacrusha and drove Ireland’s first national electrification programme saw electricity as the engine of a modern, independent and more prosperous nation. This Government is now seeking to match that ambition for a new era. We are using clean, home-grown electricity to transform transport, homes and enterprise – accelerating electric vehicles, heat pumps, storage and industrial electrification, while preparing the grid and economy for the deeper electrification of energy-intensive industry in the decades ahead. Put quite simply, we are going to electrify Ireland.”
Paddy Hayes, CEO of ESB said:
“ESB was delighted to welcome Minister O'Brien and energy, transport and industry delegates to Ardnacrusha today.
“Ardnacrusha has been generating clean electricity for almost 100 years. Today, building on renewable electricity, electrification provides a massive opportunity; an opportunity to empower customers, to improve energy independence, to decarbonise heat, transport and society, and to support a secure energy future for Ireland and for Europe.”
Priorities for energy, climate and the environment – during Ireland’s Presidency
Minister O’Brien has previously highlighted priorities for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in relation to energy security, sustainability and affordability – where we will see a particular focus on key EU workstreams. These include the European Grids Package (to strengthen the EU’s energy infrastructure) and the AccelerateEU Communication (to address rising energy costs and further reduce the EU’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets).
On climate topics, Minister O’Brien will play a lead role as the bloc deals with proposals for revisions to the ETS (Emission Trading System). The Minister will also lead the EU’s  prepares for COP31 – the next United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Antalya, Türkiye this November.
Environmental protection and the transition to a Circular Economy will also be key topics for Minister O’Brien and  the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment – during the six-month Presidency. A particular focus will be on the EU’s Circular Economy Act File. Due for adoption this year, the Act aims to establish a Single Market for secondary raw materials, increase the supply of high-quality recycled materials and stimulate demand for these materials within the EU.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Ministers of State Seán Canney and Jerry Buttimer today announced Department of Transport funding of €40 million to address the damage caused to regional and local roads by Storm Chandra earlier this year.
 
After assessment in March 2026, approximately 130 roads were found to require complete reconstruction and over 440 had significant damage. Several bridge structures were also damaged and made impassable.  The funding provided today will permit the local authorities facing the most significant road damage as a result of Storm Chandra, to undertake necessary work to restore these regional and local roads.
 
Minister O’Brien said:
“I am pleased to announce the provision of €40 million in exceptional additional funding to facilitate the repair of our regional and local roads after the impact of Storm Chandra. Extreme weather events leave  significant damage in their wake and Government is committed to supporting our local authorities to ensure the condition of our road network is maintained.”
 
Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said:
“The protection and maintenance of our regional and local roads is vital for the safety of all road users, as well as supporting the people and businesses who rely on our road network.  The funding provided today will enable our local authorities to carry out the much-needed remediation of storm damage.” 
 
Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said: 
“The funding made available today will ensure that priority work can be undertaken by local authorities to restore our regional and local roads, keeping our rural communities and businesses connected and protected.”
 
This table details by county the severe weather allocations to address Storm Chandra damage: 
 
County
Severe Weather Allocation (millions)

Carlow
€2.79

Kilkenny
€3.46

Laois
€1.00

Louth
€1.00

Waterford
€5.53

Wexford
€13.49

Wicklow
€10.72

Monaghan
€0.90

Tipperary
€1.11

Total
€40.00

 
 
ENDS