The Commission will play a crucial role in advising and supporting the government's efforts to achieve a climate-neutral economy while ensuring a fair and equitable transition for all. Key priorities include maximising employment opportunities and providing support to individuals and communities that may be negatively impacted by the shift away from fossil fuels.
The Commission's membership comprises nominees from the five pillars of social dialogue, as well as independent experts with backgrounds in various relevant fields, including human rights, equality, skills development, rural and community development, social inclusion, the green economic transition, and youth perspectives.
The Just Transition Commission will work closely with the government to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy benefits everyone, leaving no one behind.
The members of the Just Transition Commission are as follows:
• The Commission will be chaired by Ali Sheridan, Independent Expert
• Vanessa Kiely O'Connor (Agriculture Pillar)
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• Michelle Murphy (Community and Voluntary Pillar)
• Conor Minogue (Employer Pillar)
• Oisín Coghlan (Environment Pillar)
• Ryan McKinney (Trade Union Pillar)
• Diarmuid Torney (Independent Expert)
• Evan Boyle (Independent Expert)
• Seamus Boland (Independent Expert)
• Suresh Kumar (Independent Expert)
• Tanya Ward (Independent Expert)
Welcoming the government's approval of the appointments, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, said: "Ensuring that we have a fair move to a new greener Ireland has been a priority for me and I am very pleased to be able to confirm the appointments to Ireland's first Just Transition Commission in what is an important milestone for Ireland's climate policy. The Commission will have an important role in advising and supporting us so that our climate policies work for everyone and benefit all communities.
"It will work to anticipate and inform long-term climate policy by focusing on the potential impacts, risks and opportunities arising from the climate transition for different sectors of the economy and society, in particular those at most risk of being left behind. Importantly, the Commission will support Government to work from the bottom up, ensuring that we are innovative, flexible and above all people centred in the way we approach this move to new green jobs, green agriculture and green transport."
Commenting, Ms Sheridan said: "I am delighted to be joining the Just Transition Commission at this critical time for Ireland. While reaching our climate targets is now a key priority, there is much yet to be done to ensure we achieve them in a way that leaves no one and no place behind.
"We have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to ensure that the transition ahead is a fair one. One that looks beyond emission reductions towards transforming our society and economy to thrive while meeting social needs and respecting planetary boundaries.
"Building on the valuable work of many, I look forward to working with the rest of the Commission and wider society in supporting the government in shaping our collective future and delivering an equitable and fair transition."
