Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
69. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he has completed a review of the Just Transition process to date; what new elements are being considered in creating a legislative base for a Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to a just transition to ensure that nobody is left behind as we take action to achieve a climate neutral society by no later than 2050. Through the annual Climate Action Plan, the Government is mainstreaming the Just Transition Framework across sectoral policy to enable a transition that is fair and equitable.
This Framework as established in the 2021 Climate Action Plan consists of the following 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.
All relevant Ministers are expected to formulate and implement their climate action policies through the lens of these principles, so that policies are informed by the need to ensure a just transition.
To reaffirm our commitment to a just transition, the Government approved the establishment of a Just Transition Commission at its meeting on 30 April.
The Commission will support the Government in its responsibility to ensure, that Ireland’s transition to a climate neutral economy is just, and that it endeavours, in so far as practicable, to maximise employment opportunities, and to support people and communities that may be negatively affected by the transition.
I will commence shortly a process to recruit a chairperson and members of the Commission. I will make appointments to the Commission on the approval of the Government. I intend that the Commission will be operational by Q3 of this year.
In line with the report of the Just Transition Taskforce, the Commission will be established initially on an administrative basis. Following an appropriate opportunity to evaluate the operation of the Commission during its first term, a decision on any future statutory basis for the Commission will then be made.
