Paul Murphy criticises COP27 failure to phase out fossil fuels
Paul Murphy criticised the COP27 outcome, arguing the summit failed to commit to phasing out fossil fuels and that the 1.5C target is not being kept alive. He blamed the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists and warned the world is on a trajectory of roughly three and a half degrees warming.
Critique of COP27 outcomes
Paul Murphy said the absence of a commitment to phase out fossil fuels illustrates the failure of COP27 and the capitalist system to address the climate crisis. He noted the summit largely repeated COP26 language and now only references increases in low-emission and renewable energy - wording he described as far too vague.
Fossil fuel lobby presence
Murphy highlighted that 636 fossil fuel lobbyists were present at COP27 and argued that governments made commitments that protect the interests of big oil and gas rather than phasing out fossil fuels.
1.5C target and warming trajectory
He said "there's no evidence" the 1.5C limit is being kept alive and warned the world is on a trajectory of "maybe three and a half degrees warming, if not worse," signalling deep concern about current global policy paths.
Energy options and ambiguities in the text
Murphy warned that references to "low emission and renewable energy" could be interpreted to include nuclear power, coal with carbon capture and storage, or fossil gas. He also raised the domestic example of MoneyPoint and data centres, suggesting they could be kept running fuelled by oil as electricity demand increases.
Response on alternatives and EU action
In reply, another speaker acknowledged disagreements between countries but argued big oil producers seek to retain oil and gas and that the priority is rapid development of alternatives - more wind, offshore wind and solar. That respondent also said the European Union has made advances and that Ireland is reducing dependency on Russian oil and gas following the invasion of Ukraine.
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The Taoiseach says we're keeping 1.5 alive. There's no evidence of that. The world is on a trajectory of maybe three and a half degrees warming, if not worse. And no greater illustration of the failure of COP27 and the failure of this capitalist system to address the climate crisis than the absence of a commitment to even phase out fossil fuels. The failure to recognise that and include it in the text speaks to the power of the fossil fuel lobbyists, 636 of whom were present at COP27, and the commitments of governments to protect the interests of big oil and gas. We have the same text as existed in COP26, efforts towards the phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Now we have reference to an increase in low emission and renewable energy, which could mean anything, including nuclear power, coal with carbon capture and storage or fossil gas. And here you're going to keep MoneyPoint open, fuelled by oil, ramped up because of all the extra electricity for the data centres. Deputy Murphy raised the issue that the capitalist system, as you described, has failed, and you don't see any evidence of the 1.5 being kept alive. You know, there are many countries there that we would not see eye to eye in terms of their policies and so forth. But the big oil producers, Russia, the Middle East, Saudis, OPEC countries, they obviously want to retain as much as they possibly can oil and gas. And that's why we have to develop alternatives as quickly as we can, particularly more wind energy, more offshore wind energy, solar power, and other alternative sources of energy. And that's the big challenge facing us. And I think, you know, European Union has probably made the most advances in relation to these areas than others. And those big challenges will come. But it's not the role of Europe or indeed Ireland, as you suggest, to look after big oil and gas. That's not the case. And, you know, we're reducing, for example, our dependency on Russian oil and gas now because of the invasion of Ukraine, which is a significant reduction there. And, you know, at the same time, there's already been a ton of supply of countries that are also waiting for you. And, you know, there's no benefit from the nation, but the state of many markets, which is a massive kid. And, you know, it's a big challenge for them to be able to raise their whole body, but the people who are not going to get this far as well as far as they have any world today. And, you know, we're doing this a lot of preparation, however, for example, because they may actually be able to get it here. And, you know, you know, we're not going to go on this. So, you know, there are a lot of considerations, but also there are some people who are even more deeply involved in terms of what they do to have on the topic of the day. And, you know, we are likely talking about the year in your mind.
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