Minister Coveney announces a series of actions to address climate adaptation in developing countries

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, at COP26 today announced Irish Aid funding of €2.1 million which will help address the impacts of climate change on Small Island Developing States and coastal communities.

Speaking from Glasgow today, Minister Coveney said:

"Our oceans are fundamental to life on our planet, but they are under pressure from a combination of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. This €2.1 million funding package forms part of Ireland’s response to this impending crisis, helping to build sustainable livelihoods in vulnerable coastal communities while at the same time supporting the conservation of critical marine systems."

Colm Brophy TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, who attended COP26 on Monday, added:

"As a fellow small island, large ocean, state, Ireland has a particular affinity with Small Island Developing States, many of whom are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Today’s funding is a further expression of our solidarity with our fellow small islands."

Today's funding announcement comprises:

€1 million to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, to support Caribbean populations living and earning their livelihoods from the ocean in the direct aftermath of a disaster
€700,000 to the World Bank PROBLUE Trust Fund, which supports the sustainable and integrated development of marine and coastal resources in developing countries
€400,000 for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), for livelihood development for the coastal community in Tanga-Pemba seascape in Tanzania, as part of the Great Blue Wall Initiative

Notes

Ireland’s funding to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) will support the expansion of the Caribbean Oceans and Aquaculture Sustainability Facility (COAST). COAST was launched in Grenada and Saint Lucia in 2019 with support from the World Bank and the US. Ireland’s 2021 funding will be used to expand the COAST Facility to five additional countries (Haiti, Antigua, Belize, Jamaica, Montserrat).

Ireland funds the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through our Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This €400,000 grant will fund a 12-month pilot as part of the Great Blue Wall Initiative. The project is titled, ‘Towards a Blue Future in Tanga-Pemba Seascape’, and will be implemented by IUCN in partnership with Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) and Ocean Hub Africa (OHA). The project itself aims to boost development of the blue economy in North East Tanzania. It has a particular focus on women.