About Comhar Comhar SDC was first set up in 1999, as Comhar the National Sustainable Development Partnership. It is now known as Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council (SDC). Comhar is the Irish word for partnership.
The Irish Government has commitments on sustainable development which come from an international, EU and national level. Information on these commitments can be found in the Sustainable Development section. Sustainable development is based on active participation with key stakeholders and sectoral interests. Comhar SDC is the key organisation in Ireland providing for sectoral and stakeholder engagement on implementing sustainable development.
Who are we? The Council is multi-stakeholder. It is made up for 25 people drawn from five sectors;
the State sector, economic sectors, environmental NGOs, social/community NGOs and the professional/academic sector. A list of the current members is available in the section on The Council. The council meets four times a year. Comhar is supported by a full-time Secretariat based in the Irish Life Centre, Dublin. Details on the secretariat are available in the section on Our People. Comhar SDC is currently chaired by Professor Frank Convery. Comhar’s budget is provided from the proceeds of the Environment Fund.
What do we do?
Comhar SDC works in three year cycles and began its forth term in January 2009. Details of our current research are available on the website. Comhar SDC conducts research on the best ways to achieve sustainable development in Ireland. Comhar SDC may undertake this work at the request of any Minister or on its own initiative. It is an advisory council that provides guidance to the Government on measures that can move us to a sustainable, equal and low carbon society.
Comhar SDC also conducts outreach work to inform people more generally on sustainable development. We have sponsored programmes such as the Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist awards, TidyTowns and run a Media Fund to increase awareness on sustainable development within the wider public.
What are our Terms of Reference?
Comhar SDC's terms of reference, as agreed by Government, give it a broad and flexible remit. In summary, they are:
- to advance the national agenda for sustainable development
- to evaluate progress on achieving sustainable development in Ireland
- to assist in developing tools and models that can progress Ireland towards sustainable development
- to advice the relevant individual(s) and/or organisation(s) on how to implement the tools and models
- to contribute to the formation of a national consensus on sustainable development.
How we Operate?
The council meets four times a year at plenary meetings. The minutes from these meetings are available on the website. The secretariat carries out most of the in-house research and organises other commissioned research. All research is edited and approved by the council members.
Many of the issues highlighted in the work programme are actively pursued through Comhar SDC’s working groups. The working groups are focus on specific issues- such as climate change, biodiversity or education and awareness. They are made up of Comhar SDC council members, secretariat members and outside members. Ad hoc groups may be established from time to time to address particular items.