Long-term funding recommended to address climate change and biodiversity loss
The Just Transition Commission has outlined 10 recommendations as part of its agriculture and land use report.
Farmers should receive long-term funding mechanisms and payments for ecosystem services to help transition to climate neutrality, a new report recommends.
The Just Transition Commission published a report warning Ireland had entered a critical period for deciding the future of its food, agriculture and land-use systems.
With climate impacts intensifying, biodiversity loss continuing, and major national and European policy reforms under way, the commission says decisions taken over the coming years will shape rural Ireland, food production and land use for generations.
It argues the Government must now provide a clear long-term direction so farmers, communities and businesses can plan with confidence. The report builds on the commission’s earlier calls for a national just transition strategy and a national climate dialogue, and its wider work on embedding just transition principles into the design and delivery of climate policy across Ireland’s economy.
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The ‘Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use’ report outlines 10 recommendations and recognises many farmers are already taking significant steps to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and participate in environmental schemes.
However, it concludes that willingness to act is increasingly being undermined by uncertainty about future policy, land-use priorities, and long-term investment supports. The commission argues greater clarity is now essential if Ireland is to deliver a planned, fair and effective transition.
The commission outlines 10 recommendations in its report:
- A national dialogue on the future of agriculture and land use;
- Long-term and equitable funding for climate action and land-use change;
- Rewarding climate, nature and ecosystem services;
- Skills, advisory services and community capacity for a just transition;
- Strategic land-use planning and evidence-based policy;
- Supporting diverse and active farming systems;
- Generational renewal and access to farming;
- Gender equality and inclusive participation;
- Diversification and market development;
- Fair governance, market and rural participation.
Commenting on the report, chair of the Just Transition Commission Ali Sheridan said: “During our engagements for this report, the commission heard a broad recognition that change is necessary and that agriculture has an important role to play in achieving Ireland’s climate and environmental objectives.
"However, there remains significant uncertainty regarding the future direction of agricultural policy, land-use priorities and the long-term supports that will be available to support transition.
“The commission believes that providing greater clarity on the pathway ahead is now an urgent priority. As climate risks increase and significant policy decisions approach, prolonged uncertainty risks undermining confidence, delaying investment and weakening trust in the transition process.”
Ms Sheridan added: "This report is about more than agriculture. It is about the future of Ireland's food system, how we use our land, the resilience of rural communities, biodiversity, water, and the opportunities available to future generations.”
"Questions about food production, land use, nature restoration, and rural livelihoods can no longer be considered separately. They are increasingly interconnected and require a shared national vision.
This is why a key recommendation of the commission is for a national dialogue on the future of agriculture and land use, to help build broad societal agreement on the direction Ireland should take," she said.
