Éamonn Meehan awarded France’s National Order of Merit

The National Order of Merit is a French order of merit with membership awarded by the President of the French Republic. The order was established in 1963 to create an award for French citizens as well as foreign nationals for distinguished service or achievements. A maximum of 5,000 individuals can receive the award each year.

Éamonn was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite at a ceremony hosted by the Ambassador on Wednesday evening. 

“I am honoured that Ambassador Crouzat has chosen to recognise the work of Trócaire in the field of climate justice,” he said. “The Government of France put enormous effort into the negotiations that ultimately led to the Paris Agreement. This agreement remains a blueprint for saving our planet. Trócaire has campaigned on climate change for many years. Every day around the world we work with people who are feeling the impacts of climate change. Climate change presents a huge risk for all of our futures, but its impacts are already being felt in barren fields and storm-damaged homes throughout the developing world. Governments around the world must commit to taking the steps necessary to reach the targets outlined in the Paris Agreement.”

Ambassador Crouzat paid tribute to the role Trócaire played in mobilising support in Ireland for a strong climate deal ahead of the Paris negotiations. 

“I am delighted to award the Ordre National du Mérite to Mr Eamonn Meehan for his role in promoting climate awareness in Ireland ahead and following the signing of the 2015 Paris Agreement,” he said. “Reaching an Agreement at COP21 was made possible thanks to the strong involvement of all and particularly civil society organisations who already face climate challenges in their work. Through Eamonn Meehan’s leadership Trócaire played a key outreach role in Ireland about the challenges of climate warming and the tasks that lie ahead to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. France remains committed to pursue efforts towards this goal and will stand with all those who will help play a part in protecting our environment”