Press release
Minister Ryan welcomes first meeting of new Just Transition Taskforce
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has today welcomed the convening of the first meeting of the Just Transition Taskforce.
Minister Ryan said:
"I welcome today’s first meeting of the Just Transition Taskforce. Its first job will be to develop detailed proposals for a permanent Just Transition Commission, and I have asked the Taskforce for its recommendations within six months. This government’s objective, in line with the Climate Action Plan, is that Ireland’s climate policy is fully informed by just transition considerations, so that those most impacted are supported, while positioning our country to avail of the huge opportunities available through this transition.
"I thank Kieran Mulvey for agreeing to chair this Taskforce and the relevant representative bodies for their commitment to participate in this important work."
Climate Action Plan 2023 proposed establishing a Just Transition Commission to provide advice to the government. The Plan set out that the Commission should be tasked with:
The first job of the Taskforce will be to make detailed recommendations to the Minister, by early 2024, regarding the role and structure of the Just Transition Commission. The Taskforce will engage with representatives of business and employers’ organisations, trade unions, agricultural and farming organisations, community and voluntary organisations, and environmental organisations in developing these recommendations to the Minister.
The Just Transition Taskforce members include Damian Mc Donald (Irish Farmers Association), Gerard Brady (IBEC), Oisín Coghlan (representing the the Environmental Pillar), Michelle Murphy (representing the Community and Voluntary Pillar), Macdara Doyle (ICTU), Larry O’Connell (The National Economic and Social Council) and Brian Carroll (Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications). The Chair is Kieran Mulvey, who previously acted as Just Transition Commissioner in the Midlands.
For further information on the terms of reference of the Taskforce, please go to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Amendment Act, 2021, sets out a national climate objective for Ireland to transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. The Act situates a just transition to a climate neutral economy as a process, within the wider statutory framework of climate action, which endeavours, as far as is practicable, to maximise employment opportunities, and support persons and communities that may be negatively affected by the transition.
Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out four principles for ensuring a just transition:
1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements
2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net zero economy
3. The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated
4. Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process
In line with the government’s ambition that these principles be steadily mainstreamed into climate policy, key sectors are now integrating these principles in the design of their respective policies and measures.
All relevant Ministers are expected to formulate and implement their climate action policies through the lens of the just transition framework and principles, 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.