Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly  has launched a public consultation to inform national policy in respect of the European Commission’s legislative proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for the period after the year 2020. The EU ETS is the largest carbon market in the world and constitutes the cornerstone of the EU’s climate policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the decades to come. The current legislation proposal introduced by the European Commission is the first step in delivering on the EU’s target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent by the year 2030, in accordance with the 2030 Climate and Energy Policy Framework. Deliberations have now commenced within the EU on the European Commission’s proposal, which will have to be agreed by both the European Council and the European Parliament before it can be adopted. Ireland, as a member state of the EU, actively participates in the EU ETS, which encompasses more than 100 installations in Ireland. In order to inform the country’s national response to the European Commission’s reform proposal, the views of interested parties here are being sought on all aspects of the proposal. In keeping with the Minister’s commitment to transparency and inclusiveness in the national low carbon transition agenda, Minister Kelly said: “The European Commission’s legislative proposal, when adopted, will set the shape of the EU Emissions Trading System in the period 2021 to 2030. "This will affect all member states of the EU, including Ireland and its industrial base. Accordingly, it is right and proper that I seek the views of interested parties, whether they be from Irish industry, Irish environmental NGOs, or the Irish general public, on the future operation of the EU ETS.” The consultation period will run until Wednesday, December 2, 2015. Further details and how to make a submission may be found at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/ClimateChange/PublicConsultation/