EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra speaks at DCU Institute for Climate and Society event
EU Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra addressed students at an event hosted by the DCU Institute for Climate and Society on Tuesday.
At the outset of his speech, Commissioner Hoekstra described himself as an optimist but that he wanted to present ‘a sobering read of the landscape ahead.’ After hailing Ireland’s progress as a society from when it joined the EU to today, he described the range of geopolitical and economic challenges the block faces. Furthermore, while recognising the opportunities AI offers, particularly in healthcare, Hoekstra described its potential negative impacts as “another layer of uncertainty.”
Speaking at the event, EU Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said:
“Climate change is indiscriminate. You cannot solve the issue in your back yard, you need to solve it globally. We need to do more to make sure the world is working towards this issue.”
Hoekstra outlined ways in which the block can move forward including accelerating development of clean European energy and more interconnectors to build greater efficiency and links between member states’ energy markets. However, pointing to the fact that the EU is responsible for 6% of global emissions, the Commissioner emphasised that climate change requires global collaboration and that the EU must take the lead in the highly complex process of negotiating mitigation.
Having thanked students for attending, the Commissioner answered questions on creating effective international rules for reducing emissions and the difficulties of participating in initiatives such as COP conferences when other nations resist participation.
DCU President Prof Daire Keogh said:
“In his work since becoming Commissioner Mr Hoekstra has shown great determination to make climate action part of the solution to the combination of crises the world currently faces. And he has shown the urgency that is required to address climate change, and re-commit to Europe’s role as a climate leader and exemplar. We are delighted to welcome him to Dublin City University.”
Director of the DCU Institute for Climate and Society Dr Diarmuid Torney said:
"The global landscape for climate action is challenging, with ongoing geopolitical turbulence, an energy supply shock, and a cost of living crisis. All the while, the impacts of climate change are becoming ever clearer, witnessed by a summer of extreme heat in Europe and recent catastrophic flooding in Nepal. It was our great honour and privilege to welcome European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra to DCU today, and to discuss with him the role that the EU can play in progressing climate action in Europe and around the world."
Following the Commissioner’s address, DCU Institute for Climate and Society Director Dr Diarmuid Torney led a panel discussion featuring Professor Caroline Kuzemko, Professor in the Political Economy of Climate Change at Warwick University; Prof Claire Dupont, Professor of European and International Governance and Sustainability Transformations at Ghent University; Deirdre Duffy, CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland; and Conor Minogue, Senior Executive for Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Policy at IBEC.
To close the event, DCU Chancellor and Chief Executive of EirGrid Group Cathal Marley delivered a closing address where he spoke about the key role EirGrid is playing in decarbonising Ireland's electricity supply. Earlier this year, Marley launched a new group strategy for Eirgrid which set out an ambitious roadmap for the country's electricity grid to deliver secure, clean and affordable electricity.
DCU Institute for Climate and Society is Ireland’s first academic research centre focused on social science and humanities perspectives on the climate crisis.
Commissioner Hoekstra was in Dublin this week to discuss the EU and Irish Presidency's climate priorities ahead of COP31 in Türkiye.