The debate on the climate transition all too often turns into a finger-pointing exercise, a kind of zero-sum game, dominated by talk of winners and losers. This raises serious questions both for political leadership and society in general, because unless a way is found to accelerate progress, Ireland will continue to fall further and further behind on its climate targets.
In this context, the latest report from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) – Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use – is a welcome contribution, all the more so because it focuses on a series of recommendations for actually making progress. Debate on the future of farming tends to be framed by contentious issues, such as the size of the dairy herd, or the need to change land use. The NESC report takes a more holistic approach, arguing that the focus needs to be on the entire agricultural supply chain, by engaging in deep consultation and through a focus on fairness – the so-called just transition.
The report, commissioned by Government as part of is Climate Action Plan, underlines the need to set the changes required in agriculture in the wider context of economic and social change. It calls for new structures to support ongoing consultation on the best way forward. Its recommendations are full of common sense, calling for ways to allow the sector to grasp the opportunities of transition as well as meeting the costs.
More realistic incentives for farmers are needed to lead to change, it argues, as well as a focus on supporting those whose income would be most affected. Nor does it shirk the hard questions, such as the need to reduce livestock levels and the changes required in land management and use.
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There are no magic solutions here, but what the report provides is a roadmap on how to go forward in an organised way. A separate analysis, published by Teagasc, illustrates the scale of the challenge in reducing agricultural emissions.
The NESC council is made up of representatives of government, business, unions, social and community groups – and, crucially in this case, farmers. Its report should not be left on the shelf.