Press release
Minister welcomes appointment of Irish climate scientist to senior UN role
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Dr Tara Shine has been appointed as co-facilitator of the Structured Expert Dialogue of the Second Periodic Review under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Structured Expert Dialogue is a science – policy discussion as part of the Periodic Review of the long term goal to hold global temperature rise to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C. It will assess progress towards the goal and identify challenges and opportunities for achieving it.
Welcoming the appointment today, Minister Ryan said:
"I would like to congratulate Dr Shine on her appointment as co-facilitator of the Structured Expert Dialogue under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her nomination and successful appointment in the role is in recognition of her wealth of experience and engagement as an environmental scientist, international climate change negotiator and adviser to governments and world leaders on environmental and climate policy, and matters of climate justice.
"I am delighted to support Dr Shine in this role, it reflects Ireland’s commitment to a science-based approach to climate decision making, and the need to continually engage with other countries at an international level on the shared global climate challenge. It is fundamental that we listen to the scientific evidence and what is it telling us about the future of our planet.
Dr Shine, Director of Change by Degrees and Chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development, welcomed her appointment and said:
"I am honoured to have been appointed to this role and look forward to co-facilitating this dialogue between scientists and policy makers. Our work together will assess the progress made to achieve the 1.5°C goal and the opportunities we have today to provide a safe climate system for future generations."
ENDS
Structured Expert Dialogue (SED)
The SED will support the work of a Joint Contact Group of SBSTA and SBI of the UNFCCC and ensure the scientific integrity of the periodic review through a focused exchange of views, information and ideas. The SED will consider scientific information relevant to the review through regular scientific workshops and expert meetings. The SED offers a platform for dialogue and will feed into and assist the preparation and consideration of synthesis reports on the review.
The SED is facilitated by two co-facilitators, one from a Party included in Annex I to the Convention (Developed Countries) and one from a Party not included in Annex I to the Convention.
The co-facilitators will manage and facilitate the discussions, review and finalise the related reports prepared by the Secretariat of the UNFCCC. The SEDs provide a key input to the final report of the Second Periodic Review.
Second Periodic Review
The objective of the second periodic review is to enhance Parties understanding of the long-term temperature goal and assess the total effect of the steps taken by Parties in order to achieve the long-term global goal in the light of the ultimate objective of the Convention.
Long Term Temperature goal as adopted under the Paris Agreement
To hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.
Period Review report
The first Period Review was undertaken from 2013 to 2015. It’s conclusions resulted in the modification of the long-term goal of the UNFCCC and inclusion decided that the goal is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change (Decision 10/CP.21, paragraph 4) (same temperature limit as in Article 2.1(a) of the Paris Agreement).
Biography - Dr Tara Shine
Dr Tara Shine spent 20 years as an international climate change negotiator and adviser to governments and world leaders on environmental policy. She was Special Adviser to the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice and The Elders before setting up Change by Degrees, a sustainability consultancy based in Kinsale, Co Cork. Tara is Chair of the Board of the International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED) and a member of faculty and lead facilitator for the visibility stream of Homeward Bound, a global leadership programme for women in science. She is author of 'How to Save Your Planet One Object At A Time' published in April 2020 by Simon and Schuster. Tara is a science communicator and TV presenter and will present the 2020 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture.