Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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418. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the national energy and climate plan will be informed by the principles of climate justice and just transition, climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51544/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) is to be completed in accordance with a template contained in the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation. In accordance with the template,  various impacts, including just transition aspects of the planned policies and measures, are to be set out.Investment in the low carbon economy has the potential to create decent work and quality jobs to support local communities and workers in regions most impacted by the on-going transformation to a decarbonised society. The Government’s National Mitigation Plan recognises that fully realising the economic opportunities in the low carbon economy are key to ensuring a just transition.

To inform this process, the National Mitigation Plan contains a commitment to prepare a report on the economic and employment implications of the transition to a low carbon economy. The exact terms of reference for this work are still to be finalised but will be cognisant of the need to take on board a range of factors. This may include but not be limited to the following areas:

- Employment impacts

- Social and regional dimension

- Need for stakeholder dialogue

- Skills and training aspects

The EU’s Greenhouse Gas emissions targets have been set to align with the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the NECP will set out how it is intended to reach Ireland's target.