Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (No. 46 of 2015).

This Act provide for the approval of plans by the Government in relation to climate change for the purpose of pursuing the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the year 2050. It sets out the commitment of Ireland to existing or future obligations under European Union law and under any relevant international agreement. EU law here includes Directive 2003/87/EC relating to the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme and Decision No. 406/2009/EC, which sets greenhouse gas mitigation targets for the period from 2013 to 2020. Plans (a National Low Carbon Transition and Mitigation Plan and a National Climate Change Adaptation Framework) shall be made by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and submitted to the Government for approval. Sectoral adaptation plans shall be developed. The Act sets out content and procedures of plans and establishes a National Expert Advisory Council on Climate Change to advise and make recommendations to the Minister. The Act also provides for monitoring of progress on the implementation of obligations and reporting.