The Just Transition Commission has called on the Government to urgently provide a visionary, ambitious, just and joined-up strategy for Ireland to transition to a climate-neutral economy.
In its first report, it says that the Just Transition Strategy must uplift communities and enhance lives by creating better jobs, warmer homes, cleaner air and a more resilient society.
The commission is an independent advisory body appointed by the Government, to focus on bringing new thinking and a constructive approach to helping the whole of Ireland move faster and fairly on climate change.
Its introductory report highlights that the concept of a "just transition" is not a new concept in Ireland, but until now it has largely been associated with the midlands and the shift away from peat-based industries.
It says that to move forward, the conversation and awareness levels must shift beyond the midlands, ensuring that just transition becomes a national priority for the whole of Ireland.
Just Transition Commission chairperson Ali Sheridan said that just transition cannot be reduced solely to energy policy or even climate action.
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"It requires a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities across different sectors, communities and groups, such as rural, farming, coastal, the midlands, people on low incomes, members of the Travelling community and other marginalised groups, among others," she said.
The report says that there is a need to integrate just transition into all public messaging and communication around climate action and to build on the National Dialogue on Climate Action programme in terms of accessibility, affordability, accountability, and use of findings.
The commission is calling for the establishment of indicators to support the monitoring and evaluation of Ireland's progress towards a just transition that accounts for those most affected or vulnerable to the transition.
