Holly Cairns
Ceist:203. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the Climate Action Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 July 2021
Ceisteanna (203)
Freagraí scríofa
Section 8 of the Climate and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 established the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). The CCAC, which is independent in the performance of its functions, provides advice to Government in respect of climate matters.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 provides for a number of changes to the structure and functions of the CCAC:
- CCAC membership will have expertise in at least one of a number of areas relevant to its role and functions. This list includes climate science, transport policy, energy policy, agricultural policy, behavioural and communication services, biodiversity and ecosystems, climate adaptation, economics, finance, political sociology or ethics in relation to climate, as such matters
- The CCAC membership is to be increased to a maximum of 13 members in acknowledgement of the broad range of expertise and competences required to support its enhanced role
- The CCAC will provide advice and recommendations to relevant Ministers and the Government on the making and approval of Climate Action Plans and proposing carbon budgets and amendments to a provisional budget
- The CCAC annual report will include a review of compliance with the carbon budget and each sectoral emissions ceiling for that period, and any recommendations the CCAC consider necessary to comply with the sectoral emissions ceilings.
- The matters to be contained in a Periodic Review, which the CCAC may prepare from time to time, have also been expanded to include consideration of the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, in addition to the climate plans, strategies and frameworks. In view of the statutory five-year term of the current CCAC expiring; the need to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Council, including its intended mandate to propose carbon budgets under the Bill; and the need to ensure relevant deadlines relating to the development of carbon budgets as set out in the Bill are met I have made certain appointments and reappointments to the Council. The current members of the Climate Change Advisory Council are:
- Ms. Marie Donnelly, (Chairperson)
- Professor John FitzGerald,
- Professor Ottmar Edenhofer,
- Professor Peter Thorne,
- Professor Alan Barrett,
- Professor Gerry Boyle,
- Laura Burke,
- Patricia King,
- Andrew Murphy,
- Julie Sinnamon,
- William Walsh. Under the new Bill, three ex-officio members will be included in the Council: the Director of the EPA, the Director of Teagasc – The Agriculture and Food Development Authority; and the Director of the Irish National Meteorological Service, Met Éireann. Recent appointments have been made in advance of the Bill but I also intend to appoint additional members shortly, taking account of the aforementioned provisions of the Bill. Further appointments may include experts in relation to biodiversity, just transition and climate communications, amongst other areas of experience set out under the provisions of the Bill.