17th July 2018

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten spoke to the UN High-level Political Forum on sustainable development. This forum was focused on ensuring that countries were committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda covers 17 goals that were established by the UN in 2015. The goals cover a broad range of social and economic development issues, such as climate change, energy, health and education.

In his speech, Minister Naughten stated that an Ireland was taking a "whole-of-government approach to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals were met. This approach states that each Government Minister would have a responsibility for implementing specific goals, relevant to their Department. Minister Naughten acknowledged that Ireland is behind in its commitments on Climate Change. However he highlighted Ireland's focus on Climate Change in the National Development Plan, 'Project Ireland 2040'. As part of this plan, one-fifth of the total funding, €22 Billion, will be spent on a "climate focused investment plan".

Minister Naughten's speech covered a number of other issues and topics relating to Climate Change and the Environment in Ireland. A transcript of his full speech is available from the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment's website. More information on the UN High-level Political Forum is available from the UN's website. For more information on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, visit the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment's website.