BFBI’s Lucy Gaffney will present on the significant role of biodiversity at a major conference covering priorities for climate policy and action in Ireland hosted by the Westminster Forum Project’s Policy Forum for Ireland. 

The August 17th conference, with a keynote speech by Marie Donnelly, pictured, of the Climate Change Advisory Council, is billed as a timely opportunity to discuss next steps for taking forward Ireland’s third Climate Action Plan, published shortly after COP27, which provides for a system change in Ireland’s approach to climate policy.

The event will be chaired by, Richard Bruton TD, Member, Environment and Climate Action Committee and Darren O’Rourke TD, Sinn Fein Spokesperson for the Environment and Climate Action.

Delegates will examine the targets outlined in the Plan, which are underpinned by legislation outlined in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, with legally-binding sectoral emissions ceilings and carbon budgets, the first being to 2025.

Key stakeholders will come together to assess what support is needed for key sectors to stay within the emissions ceilings, and within the maximum emissions outlined in the carbon budget, as Ireland is currently not on course to meet targets.

It will also be an opportunity for delegates to discuss wider EU policy, such as Just Transition and the European Green Deal, and the implications for Irish business and industry, including enabling knowledge sharing in the meeting of shared goals, specifically Ireland’s roadmap to halving emissions by 2030, and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Sessions will assess the way forward for nature-based solutions, as well as key priorities for mitigating and addressing biodiversity loss in light of the Citizen’s Assembly report, which emphasised the need for urgent government action on biodiversity restoration.

Overall, sessions in the agenda will discuss:

• meeting key targets: maintaining the carbon budget – supporting business and industry in adopting more sustainable approaches – improving climate education and advocacy
• facilitating a Just Transition: diversifying local economies – delivering an inclusive approach to climate action – options for circular economy development – adopting more sustainable economic approaches
• engaging citizens: engaging the public in climate action and advocacy – raising awareness of the potential benefits and necessities of climate action – developing a joined-up approach to meeting targets
• key sectors: support across sectors in working within emissions ceilings – building sustainable practice – opportunities for decarbonising transport – priorities for scaling up renewable energy infrastructure
• wider EU policy: implementing targets laid out in the European Green Deal – priorities for a Just Transition – implementing a worker-friendly shift to a low carbon economy
• policy priorities: taking forward the CAP – developing effective governance of climate action to meet targets – assessing the pathway to halving emissions by 2030

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DAFM; DECC; Department for Communities, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; DETE; Department of Finance, NI; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.

Visit the Westminster Forum Project site to book a place online.