Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use

Abstract

The agriculture and land use sector can increasingly be a part of the solution to address urgent climate change and biodiversity loss.

Ireland has committed to a national climate objective of transitioning to a climate-resilient, biodiversity-rich and climate-neutral economy by no later than the end of 2050 (Government of Ireland, 2021a). All sectors are required to contribute. For agriculture, a 25 per cent reduction in emissions is required by 2030, with the target for land use and land-use change to be put in place following the completion of the Government’s Land Use Review.

This NESC report argues that tackling the environmental challenge must be addressed together with the intersecting economic and social challenges.

The starting point for the ambitious transition that is required is a vision that all stakeholders can agree to work collectively towards. The journey towards this vision must be underpinned by a commitment to continuous learning and will be supported by a just transition process focused on a transition within, not out of, agriculture. NESC identifies the benefit of an inclusive engagement process to develop and deepen a sense of shared purpose for the sector’s transition based upon clear, coherent and consistent communications.