The government has approved the appointment of members to the Just Transition Commission for an initial three-year term.

The Just Transition Commission will have a key role in advising and supporting the government to ensure that the move to a climate neutral economy is fair and benefits everyone.

Key tasks facing the government in delivering a just climate transition include the need to maximise employment opportunities, and to support people and communities that may be most negatively affected by the transition away from fossil fuels, and to put engagement and sustainable community development at the heart of its approach.

According to the government, membership of the Just Transition Commission comprises nominees from the five pillars of social dialogue, together with independent experts with backgrounds in a range of areas relevant to the work of the commission.

These include: Human rights and equality; skills development; rural and community development; social inclusion; the green economic transition; and youth perspectives.

The members of the Just Transition Commission are as follows:

  • Ali Sheridan, independent expert – chair;
  • Vanessa Kiely O’Connor (Agriculture Pillar);
  • Michelle Murphy (Community and Volunteer 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).

The chair, Ali Sheridan, has held a range of senior climate leadership roles and has supported the development and growth of climate programmes including at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, IKEA, and Bord Bia, as well as previous roles with the Sustainable Agricultural Initiative and An Taisce.

She has supported a diverse range of organisations and sectors to develop credible and just climate transition strategies, and is an occasional lecturer.

Sheridan holds a MSc Business Sustainability, MSc Sustainable Development, and BSc Environmental Management. She sits on the Advisory Committee of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Dublin City University (DCU) Climate Advisory Board, and the Board of Common Knowledge.

Welcoming the government’s approval of the appointments, 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,” Minister Ryan said.

Ali Sheridan added: “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.”