Donegal analyst Michelle Murphy is urging the Government to develop a bold and forward-looking strategy that places just transition at the heart of national climate action.
Ms Murphy, research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland, is originally from Kilkenny and now lives in Glenswilly.
She is one of eleven members of the government’s Just Transition Commission, which was set up to ensure that the move to a climate neutral economy is fair and benefits everyone.
On launching Ireland’s first Just Transition Commission report on Wednesday, the commission said: “Ireland must now move much faster and with much more ambition if we are to keep the people and places we care about safe from the effects of climate change, and to seize the unprecedented opportunity that a just transition offers to build a fairer, more inclusive, and resilient society.”
The Commission is calling on the Government to urgently develop a bold, nationwide strategy that sets out how Ireland’s approach to climate action will ensure a fair and inclusive transition to a climate-neutral society, one that delivers benefits for all, especially those most vulnerable to the transition.
The Commission continued: “More will be asked of society as Ireland works to cut emissions rapidly while adapting to climate impacts. This will require courage, collaboration and a commitment to fairness. A just transition offers a powerful opportunity, not only to manage the risks of the climate transition but to reimagine and reshape Ireland’s economy and society to be more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.”
“This is our chance to embrace just transition as the foundation for a fairer, more resilient Ireland; one that delivers for people and the planet. We have an opportunity and a responsibility to look beyond emissions and to deliver an approach to climate action that will uplift and protect communities, enhance lives and leave no one or no place behind.”
In its first report, the Commission outlines initial recommendations for how the Government should ensure that the transition to a climate-neutral economy is fair and benefits everyone.
The report’s key recommendations centre on establishing a clear, fair vision for a climate-neutral economy, ensuring no one is left behind by understanding vulnerabilities and improving communication. This involves strengthening governance, using data-driven indicators, and enhancing public dialogue.
The full Introductory Report by the Just Transition Commission can be accessed here.
