Eleven members have been appointed to the National Expert Advisory Council on Climate Change.

The group will advise Government departments and agencies on the actions required to significantly decarbonise the Irish economy by 2050.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill commits to the appointment of this expert group as well as five-yearly national mitigation plans designed to develop the policies to bring about a low carbon economy. Ireland's national policy position on climate change, which was published in April 2014, sets out a long-term vision to achieving an aggregate reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of at least 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 across the electricity generation, built environment and transport sectors and an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector.

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The Advisory Council, which will be chaired by Professor John FitzGerald, will comprise 11 members in total and will include four ex-officio members; Laura Burke (Director General EPA), Professor Alan Barrett (Director Designate ESRI), Dr Brian Motherway (CEO SEAI) and Professor Gerry Boyle (Director of Teagasc).

(CD/JP)