Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when it is expected that the just transition commission, as committed to in Climate Action Plan 2023, will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government has adopted, through the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), a framework for a just transition, comprising four principles:

An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements.

People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy.

The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated.

Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process.

As set out in CAP 2023, all relevant Ministers should consider this framework in the process of climate action policy formulation and implementation, so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition. This includes creating sustainable employment opportunities, providing reskilling and retraining opportunities, and providing appropriate supports for those most vulnerable as part of Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy.

The Government has also committed, through CAP 2023, to establishing a statutory Just Transition Commission, whose purpose should be to provide strategic advice to Government, integrating its role with existing governance and engagement structures, on how Government policy can further a just transition. I am continuing to progress the development of proposals in relation to the establishment of the Commission. This work has included engagement with relevant stakeholders to inform my approach to the mandate of the Commission, including through the National Climate Stakeholder Forum, the most recent meeting of which took place on 10 May last.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline in detail, according to the relevant sections of the climate Act, and by month, the annual climate action planning and reporting cycle and mechanisms for reporting on the implementation of the plan, as described in chapter 6 of the Climate Action Plan 2023. [25097/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) Action GV/23/3 requires that an annual climate action planning and reporting cycle be finalised by Q2 2023. My Department is currently undertaking work to further develop and refine the cycle and expects to have the annual cycle finalised within the delivery timeline.

Section 4 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 provides for annual updates of the Climate Action Plan and sets out the requirements for what the updates must contain in order to ensure compliance with the carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings.

Section 14A of the Act sets out the climate reporting requirements for the Minister of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Government Ministers. Following the publication of the EPA's emissions' reports and the Climate Change Advisory Council's Annual Report, the relevant Ministers shall, at the written request of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, attend before the Committee to give an account on:

(a) sector specific progress under the most recent approved climate action plan, including the policies and measures that have been adopted and any significant failure to implement such policies and measures, or to achieve sector specific targets;

(b) whether there has been a reduction or increase in greenhouse gas emissions based on the Agency’s reports;

(c) compliance with the sectoral emissions ceiling and any measures envisaged to address any failure to so comply;

(d) the implementation of adaptation policy measures and any adaptation policy measures envisaged, where a sectoral adaptation plan has been prepared.

The Joint Committee may then prepare a report with recommendations on the matters addressed by the Ministers.