Government welcomes the publication of NESC’s report ‘Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use'

A new report from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) recommends accelerating action to enable a transformation of the agriculture and land use system. That action should be focussed on engaging a wide range of stakeholders in a national dialogue with participation in local transition activities; enabling people to benefit from the opportunities of transition; and ensuring that the costs of transition are recognised and shared equitably.

Climate change and biodiversity loss are causing widespread adverse impacts, and pose significant risks to society, business and human life. 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 the year 2050. All sectors are required to contribute and 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 a land use review.

While the scale of the challenge is considerable and the transition will be complex and demanding, the Council believes that the agriculture and land use sector can increasingly be a part of the solution to combatting urgent climate change and biodiversity loss.

Based on its research, NESC details a portfolio of recommendations that, taken together, can enable a transition that is socially inclusive and equitable, economically viable and environmentally resilient.

The Council recommend the establishment of an Implementation Group for Climate Transition in Agriculture in 2023 to consider the recommendations arising from this report. It argues that this NESC work on transition should inform and shape the next stages in the development of the land use review. It also believes that the agriculture and land use system should be a major focus in the work of the forthcoming Just Transition Commission. The Council recommend that a ‘Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use Fund’, consolidating available carbon tax revenues and other public resources, should be established as soon as possible.

The report emphasises that the transition can be opportunities led. It identifies interventions that can enable people to benefit from the opportunities of transition. These include scaling up and more fully aligning farm advisory services with environmental objectives, accelerating work on accounting for nature and increasing the financial resources available to reward farmers for protecting and enhancing ecosystem services should be significantly increased; and further work to reduce uncertainty around diversification options experienced by farmers and other stakeholders.

Finally, the report recognises that transition will involve costs. It recommends developing a strategy on effort sharing among primary producers and along the supply chain, developing more robust standards and certification and specific targeted measures for people facing specific costs due to transition policies or initiatives. It also recommends more robust screening of policies and measures of transition in agriculture and land use and greater compliance with regulations to avoid unintended social or environmental impacts.

The research was undertaken by the National Economic and Social Council, an independent Council comprising employers, trade unions, farmers, community and voluntary sector representatives, environmentalists, senior officials from government departments, plus independent members. The Council was set up to analyse and report on strategic issues relating to the efficient development of the economy, the achievement of social justice and environmental sustainability. The report is available on the NESC’s website.