The declaration of a Europe-wide climate emergency has been praised for sending an important international message by Ireland's Green Party.

A group of MEPs from S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and GUE tabled an amendment for the resolution ahead of the UN Climate Conference COP25 to ask for the declaration of climate emergency on a European level. The European Parliament has now passed a resolution declaring the emergency across the continent.

Green Party MEP for Ireland South Grace O'Sullivan said: "This sends an important message internationally. Declaring a climate emergency throughout Europe ahead of the UN Climate Conference COP25, signals that the ecological catastrophe we are in the midst of must not be taken lightly. This declaration pushes the issue to the highest levels of political priority.

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"I don't want to say that this is good news. The issue is too appalling. But this vote puts an official political stamp on the issue, which brings pressure to bear which must be reflected in decision making across all aspects of domestic and international affairs."

While welcoming the announcement, Greens MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe has called for the emergency to be heeded by the newly elected Commission and national governments

"We need a response that meets the seriousness of the challenge," Mr Cuffe added. "We need a European Green Deal that sets out a serious roadmap to climate neutrality, one that changes the way we live, work and travel for the better, that protects the climate and improves the lives of our citizens."

(CM/JG)