Friends of the Earth’s response to Taoiseach’s statement at COP30

Real climate action means matching words with action to put people before big polluters

World leaders have today [6th November] gathered in Belém, Brazil, for a Climate Summit hosted by the Government of Brazil ahead of the annual two-week UN climate conference (COP30) to be held in the Brazilian city in the Amazon from 10 to 21 November 2025. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin was speaking at this Summit this evening, 6th November [1]. 

Commenting on his remarks, Deirdre Duffy, CEO of Friends of the Earth has said:

Today at Belém the Taoiseach spoke of the need to listen to the science, to tell the truth to citizens, for urgent action to meet climate targets, and for leaders to lead.  But real climate leadership means matching words with action at home. 

Despite what the Taoiseach has said in Belém, Ireland is not on track to reduce emissions in accordance with national and EU obligations, as well Paris Agreement commitments. And the Government is still allowing big polluters to call the shots at home - from data centres that drain our energy and water supplies, to plans for new LNG terminals that would drive climate breakdown and push energy bills even higher. 

The Taoiseach’s comment that we “are looking at how to re-balance…decision-making processes to make sure that public interest is given the right weight” also raises more alarm-bells than offers reassurance.

At COP30, Ireland must do more than make general statements. The Government must now work both at home and in Belém to drastically reduce emissions in line with national obligations, rapidly phase out fossil fuels and deliver our fair share of climate finance to communities on the frontlines who have done the least to cause this crisis but are already living with its devastating impacts.

If the Taoiseach’s words at COP are to mean anything, the Government must take steps that both reduce pollution and make people’s lives better - like insulating homes in communities that need it most, stopping the expansion of energy-hungry data centres, and ruling out new fossil fuel projects such as LNG terminals. Together, these actions would mean cleaner air, warmer homes, and a better quality of life for everyone.

ENDS

Notes

1 Micheál Martin’s speech can be read in full here https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/speeches/national-statement-by-the-taoiseach-cop30-bel%C3%A9m-thursday-6-november-2025/