Download Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, 16th July 2026
Farmers need greater clarity and supports for the changes necessary to address climate change and biodiversity loss, says Just Transition Commission
New report recommends long-term funding mechanisms for farmers, payments for ecosystem services and embedding gender equality in policy to ensure the transition to climate neutrality is fair for farmers, rural communities and future generations
The Just Transition Commission has today (15.07.26) published a new report warning that Ireland has 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 underway, the Commission says decisions taken over the coming years will shape rural Ireland, food production and land use for generations. It argues that 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.
The Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use report recognises that 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 that greater clarity is now essential if Ireland is to deliver a planned, fair and effective transition.
The Commission outlines 10 recommendations in its agriculture and land use report as follows:
- A National Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and Land Use:
The urgent need for the convening by Government of a national dialogue to develop a shared long-term vision for Irish agriculture, land use and thriving rural communities, grounded in the Just Transition Principles.
- Long-Term and Equitable Funding for Climate Action and Land-Use Change:
Long-term, accessible and equitable funding mechanisms to support farmers and landowners undertaking climate action, nature restoration and generational land-use change.
- Rewarding Climate, Nature and Ecosystem Services:
Agricultural and land-use policies should provide fair and adequate financial recognition for the delivery of climate, biodiversity and ecosystem benefits, including through payments for ecosystem services.
- Skills, Advisory Services and Community Capacity for a Just Transition:
The strengthening by Government of research, advisory services and community-led capacity-building initiatives to equip farmers, farm workers, agricultural contractors and rural communities with the skills and knowledge required for the transition to climate neutrality.
- Strategic Land-Use Planning and Evidence-Based Policy:
The provision of clarity by Government on how the findings of Phase 2 of the Land-Use Review will inform future land-use policy and decision-making as part of an integrated approach to achieving climate, biodiversity and rural development objectives.
- Supporting Diverse and Active Farming Systems:
Agricultural policies and support schemes should recognise and support the diversity of active farming systems and rural livelihoods, including low-intensity farming and the provision of ecosystem services.
- Generational Renewal and Access to Farming:
The development and implementation by Government of a comprehensive strategy for generational renewal, including targeted supports for young farmers and measures to improve access to land for new entrants.
- Gender Equality and Inclusive Participation:
Gender equality should be embedded across agricultural policy, support schemes, advisory services and future CAP reforms to ensure equitable access and participation throughout the sector.
- Diversification and Market Development:
Government and stakeholders should work together to strengthen market demand, develop routes to market and reduce barriers to diversification in agriculture.
- Fair Governance, Markets and Rural Participation:
Governance, regulatory and market frameworks should support a just transition through fair carbon farming arrangements, strengthened regulatory oversight, the use of public procurement, the development of co-operative models and enhanced local participation in food and land-use decision-making.
Commenting on the Agriculture and Land Use 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. Many farmers are already taking steps to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and participate in environmental schemes. 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 also heard that farmers are more likely to engage with climate and biodiversity measures where there is clarity, fairness and confidence that their contribution will be recognised and rewarded.
“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. A clear, credible and shared direction of travel will be essential if Ireland is to maintain public trust and deliver a transition that is both effective and fair.”
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.”
The full Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use report is available at www.JustTransitionCommission.ie.
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For further information, contact: Abigail Bennett / Maisie Lynch, Alice Public Relations, Email: media@alicepr.com, Tel: 086-227 7174 / 086-896 6298 / 01-558 2151
Notes to Editor
Media Spokespeople
Ali Sheridan, Chair of the Just Transition Commission, is available for media interview via Alice Public Relations on the above contact details.
About the Agriculture and Land Use Report:
As part of its review of agriculture and land use in the context of the climate transition, the Just Transition Commission engaged with Government officials, experts, farmers, representatives of rural communities, and organisations representing vulnerable or impacted groups to better understand how just transition considerations are being integrated into policy and practice.
In developing the report, the Commission explored existing evidence base which was complemented by the Commission’s own programme of engagement with Government officials, researchers, farmers, representative organisations, rural communities and other stakeholders. The Commission’s deliberations also drew on the diverse expertise of its members, bringing together experience from farming, business, trade unions, environmental organisations, community and voluntary organisations, academia and public policy. While this provided a strong foundation for the report’s recommendations, the Commission recognises that the choices facing Ireland extend well beyond the perspectives it could engage directly through its advisory role. It therefore calls on Government to convene a National Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and Land Use to build a shared long-term vision through broad societal participation.
The Just Transition Principles Framework provided a lens for this work, guiding the Commission’s assessment across four key areas: strategic direction and evidence base; skills for a just transition; shared costs and equity; and social dialogue and participation.
The Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use report forms part of this review. The full report can be read at JustTransitionCommission.ie.
*Note: The order of the list of 10 recommendations does not indicate or imply importance.
- Ali Sheridan ─ chair of Just Transition Commission of Ireland. Independent Expert.
- Brian Flynn ─ director and chair of An Síolán, a community development company in west Offaly, current environmental representative of the PPN on Offaly LCDC, and promoter of community renewable energy projects. Independent Expert (appointed March 2026).
- Conor Minogue ─ senior policy executive with Ibec. Business Pillar.
- Dr Diarmuid Torney ─ director of the DCU Institute for Climate and Society and an associate professor in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University. Independent Expert.
- Evan Boyle ─ senior postdoctoral researcher with the MaREI Centre Energy, Climate and Marine coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork. Independent Expert.
- Michelle Murphy ─ research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland. Community and Voluntary Pillar.
- Oisín Coghlan ─ policy analyst and advisor, specialising in climate and environment, Oisín currently works with the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, the Irish Environmental Network and The Wheel, and former chief executive of Friends of the Earth Ireland. Environmental Pillar.
- Ryan McKinney ─ head of strategic change at Fórsa, Ireland’s second largest union. Trade Union Pillar.
- Suresh Kumar ─ deputy director for innovation and industrial transformation for the Scottish Government and former chief operating officer for the Max Planck Research Society. Independent Expert.
- Tanya Ward ─ chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance. Independent Expert.
- Vanessa Kiely O’Connor ─ farmer from Innishannon, Co Cork, nominated by ICMSA to the Just Transition Commission, chair of Teagasc’s Advisory and Education Committee representing the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS). Agriculture Pillar.
About the Just Transition Commission
The Just Transition Commission is an independent advisory body established on an administrative basis by Government Decision of 30th April 2024. The Commission provides the Government with impartial, strategic, and evidence-based advice to inform policy planning related to a just transition across sectors and to support the Government and wider societal stakeholders in managing this transition. The Commission is also a voice and advocate on planning for a just transition, leading in developing a shared understanding and identifying the challenges, solutions and opportunities for Ireland.