Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
72. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a progress update on the establishment of a just transition commission; the timeline for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37272/23]
View answerThe 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.
Work has also continued, as committed to in Climate Action Plan 2023, on examining and addressing the sectoral implications of this just transition framework. The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) report, Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use, which was published in July, set out a series of recommendations on ensuring socially- and farmer-inclusive transition processes, enabling people to benefit from the opportunities of transition, as well as mitigating and sharing the costs of transition. The report will be a key resource for the second phase of the Land Use Review and its recommendations will be considered in the development of the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan.
I have continued to engage with relevant stakeholders to inform my approach to the mandate of the Just Transition Commission, including through the National Climate Stakeholder Forum, the most recent meeting of which took place on 10 May last. On foot of a commitment in Climate Action Plan 2023, I am establishing a Just Transition Taskforce, comprising representatives of the key social dialogue pillars (employers, trades unions, farming groups, social NGOs, and environmental NGOs), as well as a representative of NESC, to support the Just Transition Commission in its mandate, including recommending a proposed approach to Government on how the Just Transition Commission should be constituted. It is expected that the taskforce will commence its work in September, with a view to delivering its recommendations in relation to the establishment of a Just Transition Commission by early 2024.
