Ireland will today take a tentative step towards offering ‘loss and damage’ payments to poor countries suffering climate catastrophes in an announcement to be made later.

The money will come out of existing climate contributions so will not amount to extra funding, but Taoiseach Micheál Martin said labelling it ‘loss and damage’ would send an important message.

But are developed countries being hypocritical when it comes to climate change?

Speaking to Shane this morning was Vijaya Ramachandran Director for energy and development at the breakthrough Insititute in California and also Padraic Fogarty Campaign Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust.