Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will amend the climate action Bill to include sanctions or consequences for missing five-year climate targets. [35108/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill will significantly strengthen the overarching climate governance framework, enact a 2050 target into law, and embed a process of carbon budgeting. The plans and strategies established on a statutory footing  under the Bill  will ensure meaningful policy is put in place and carbon budget ceilings are not breached.  Putting these requirements in legislation places a clear obligation on this and future governments for sustained climate action. The Bill also provides for a significantly strengthened accountability and oversight role by the Oireachtas. Each year, relevant Ministers will be required to give account annually to an Oireachtas Committee on their performance in adhering to their sector’s emission budget. Where Ministers are not in compliance with the targets, they will need to outline what consequential measures are envisaged, and respond to any recommendations made by the Committee within three months. This ‘comply or explain’ approach will ensure greater oversight is provided.

The annual revision to the Climate Action Plan acts as a further review mechanism and opportunity to re-adjust or refocus actions, if required, to ensure targets are achieved.

The existing governance mechanisms established on an administrative basis by the 2019 Climate Action Plan will also continue, with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Climate Action Delivery Board overseeing implementation of actions under the Climate Action Plan and publishing quarterly progress reports.

Through this significantly enhanced reporting, Ireland will remain on course to achieve our climate objectives.  

The Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas and I welcome the active engagement of Committee Members and witnesses in this process.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure the climate action Bill is compatible with a just transition and environmental justice. [35110/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering the Programme for Government commitment of an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050. A key aspect of delivering on this ambition will be enacting the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill, which will be reinforced by credible on-going policy.  The statutory policy instruments provided for in the Bill include carbon budgets; climate action plans; long term climate action strategies; and national adaptation frameworks. The Bill provides an extensive range of matters that Government will have to regard in developing such statutory policy instruments.  These include the principle of climate justice. The Climate Change Advisory Council will also be required to consider climate justice when developing and proposing carbon budgets to Government.The concept of climate justice incorporates a just transition and involves a human-centred approach to climate policy development.

The step change in our climate ambition will require fundamental changes, and the Programme for Government commits to continuing to work to achieve a broad political and societal consensus on a just transition to a sustainable future for all communities. I am committed to ensuring that no sector of society or community is left behind in the movement to a low-carbon future and instead can capitalise on the new opportunities the transition will bring.

In terms of managing this transition, the Programme for Government also recognises that it is vital there is adequate time and effort devoted to working with communities and sectors in designing and delivering the pathway to achieve the goal in a fair way. This will mean creating fresh opportunities for those sectors most exposed by the transition and supporting those in our community who are least equipped to make the changes.

The Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas and I welcome the active engagement of Committee Members and witnesses in this process.