Ireland votes to become the world’s first country to divest from fossil fuels

“To have a fighting chance to combat catastrophic climate change, we must phase out fossil fuels.”

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This month Ireland voted and passed a “first-of-its-kind fossil fuel divestment legislation” that called for a complete divestment from fossil fuels.

On January 27th, a majority vote was passed in parliament’s lower house, the Dáil. This will make Ireland the first country in the world to “fully divest its sovereign wealth fund from coal, oil and gas.” The wealth fund is world over €8 billion.

The bill had the support of all political parties with the exception of Fine Gael and will now go to the Committee stage in the Irish Parliament.

As Éamonn Meehan of Trócaire, a key member of parliament and a huge supporter of the legislation stated:

“With a climate-sceptic recently inaugurated into the White House, this move by elected representatives in Ireland will send out a powerful message. The Irish political system is now finally acknowledging what the overwhelming majority of people already know: That to have a fighting chance to combat catastrophic climate change, we must phase out fossil fuels and stop the growth of the industry that is driving this crisis.”

 

You can view a video of part of the historic moment here.

Get the fossil fuels out of climate policymaking:

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Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

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