Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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124. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline the Just Transition initiatives that specifically target women to maximise their employment opportunities as Ireland transitions to a climate neutral economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40712/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is committed to a just transition in order to ensure that nobody is left behind as we strive to transition to a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050 in line with the National Climate Objective. Within this, the Government is particularly conscious of the disproportional impact of climate change on the most vulnerable groups in our society, including women and children. Women are too often not included in the design of responses to climate change. A 2023 UN Women report revealed (www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2023-11/data-driven_insight_the_effects_of_climate_change_on_gender_development.pdf) two concerning statistics: Only 55 national climate action plans make a specific reference to gender equality, and only 23 of those plans recognise women as agents of change in addressing the climate crisis.

Ireland does not want to make these mistakes. The Just Transition Commission, which I hope to announce shortly, will have strong representation from members who understand and are focused on the need to ensure gender equality and recognition in how we plan for a fairer, low-carbon future.

My department is proud to be supporting Feminist Communities for Climate Justice which is a campaign for climate justice that reflects feminist and community work values. Funded through the Community Climate Action Programme, this project will develop a feminist and community work analysis, deliver an accredited training programme, establish a Communities for Climate Justice Network, and develop resources and campaigns. This partnership between the National Women’s Council and Community Work Ireland amplifies the voices of women and marginalised communities that are most impacted by climate breakdown, building momentum in communities to engage, understand and influence climate policies.

In addition, through the annual Climate Action Plan, the Government is mainstreaming the Just Transition Framework across sectoral policy to enable a fair and equitable transition to a climate neutral economy. Our Just Transition Framework consists of the following principles:

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