February 26, 2013 View all news IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, today welcomed the publication by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government of draft legislation designed to enable Ireland's long-term transition to a prosperous low-carbon economy. Commenting on the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill, and on an associated report from the National Economic and Social Council*, IBEC Head of Energy and Environment Policy Dr Neil Walker said: "The Irish business community broadly agrees that any national climate legislation should focus on how best to achieve our existing and future EU-mandated targets. This reflects the reality that the EU has for some time been the principal forum for negotiation of legally binding Member State targets."In this regard, the Heads of Bill appears to be capable of accommodating whatever new initiatives may emerge from the European Commission's current work programme, which includes a new policy framework for climate and energy policy up to 2030. "IBEC looks forward to playing an active role during the legislative process, including a constructive engagement with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Our members will continue to be key players in helping to deliver the investment and expertise needed to transform Ireland into a low carbon society."*Ireland and the Climate Change Challenge: Connecting 'How Much' with 'How To', Final Report of the NESC Secretariat to the DECLG, December 2013 Categorised in: Climate Change