Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the national climate change response dialogue and adaptation framework; the key annual actions for this framework to 2020; the resources being made available to implement actions in the framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23262/16]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides, inter alia, for the approval of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans by Government for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.
In relation to adaptation, section 5 of the 2015 Act provides for the making and submission to the Government by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government of iterative national adaptation frameworks which will specify the national strategy for the application of adaptation measures in different sectors and by local authorities in order to reduce the vulnerability of the State to the negative effects of climate change and to exploit any beneficial opportunities that may arise. Work is progressing in relation to the first such framework, which must be submitted by December 2017 and each approved framework must be reviewed not less than once in every five-year period thereafter.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to establish a National Dialogue on Climate Change. This builds on the Energy White Paper commitment for the establishment of a National Energy Forum which would invite a wide range of stakeholders to consider evidence-based inputs and maximise consensus on broad energy policy measures.
The National Dialogue on Climate Change will encompass the role set out for the National Energy Forum but with a wider focus to include the examination of key issues that need to be addressed in our long-term transition to a new low-carbon future. Options are currently being assessed as to how best to optimise the processes which will underpin the functioning of the National Dialogue, including scale and format.
