Dr. Orla Kelleher:

The idea of having a future generations commissioner is certainly a very positive one in this context. I will highlight two other very practical aspects in the context of future generations. The first is that some member states are already exploring, organising and doing research on consulting young people on these European processes and having accessible public consultations on the long-term strategy and the NECP. I am sure we could direct the committee, if it were interested, to parallel processes happening in other member states where they are trying to involve young people in these extremely important plans. A related point we have looked at in this context, and something particularly relevant to young people, is this idea of overreliance on negative emissions technologies at this point. I am talking about this idea of kicking the can down the road, potentially, by, in the context of these plans, implicitly relying on the availability of significant negative emissions technologies in the future to allow us to delay substantial and immediate emissions reductions in the very short term.

Something we have looked at and recommended before in our work is that this issue be looked at in detail and there be transparency about how much of an impact from negative emissions technologies the Government is assuming in its plans and developing strategies in this context. Additionally, in parallel, there would be an examination of imposing minimum emissions reduction targets to ensure a certain amount has to come from emissions reductions rather than a reliance on negative emissions technologies. The long-term strategy of the Netherlands is a really good example of this approach. Its long-term strategy stipulates that the country will reduce emissions by at least 95% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels. A certain amount must come from emissions reduction so that we are not pushing the burden of negative emissions technologies onto future generations.