Study finds cost of sustainable home energy and lack of public transport curbs 'just transition'

'The absence of a universally accessible public transport system in Clare appears to exacerbate issues such as car dependency, transport disadvantage and forced car ownership,' the report said.

The report found "for most, investing in larger-scale energy efficiency measures, such as installing solar panels, was considered unattainable."

Upfront costs of the likes of solar panels and a lack of public transport are major barriers for more vulnerable citizens in the so-called "just transition", a new report focused on Co. Clare, but with wider implications for rural areas, has found.

Fair Clare, a 165-page analysis on the transition to a low-carbon society and its impact on people struggling with the likes of finance, disability, and employment in the county, warned that many communities are at risk of being left behind.