Commission publishes their first report

Press Release

Wednesday, 18^th June 2025

New report calls on Government for shared vision for a just transition

The first report of Ireland’s Just Transition Commission urges the Government to develop a bold and forward-looking strategy that places just transition at the heart of national climate action

“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.” That’s according to Ali Sheridan, chair of Ireland’s first Just Transition Commission, which, as it launches its first Introductory Report today (18.06.25), 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.

Ms Sheridan 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 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.”

Recommendations

The Just Transition Commission, as an independent advisory body, is focused on bringing fresh thinking and a constructive, thoughtful approach to helping Ireland move faster and fairly on climate change. The Commission aims to serve not only as a public voice for just transition, but also as a public ear, learning directly from those on the frontlines of change.

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. Key recommendations include:

1. Develop a clear, strategic vision for a just transition to a climate-neutral society, one that moves beyond siloed or reactive approaches, puts fairness at the heart of climate action, identifies those most at risk, and outlines how the transition will benefit all of society.
2. Build a deeper understanding of vulnerabilities related to climate action by identifying at-risk groups through sector-specific, geographic, and intersectional lenses to ensure no one is overlooked in the transition.
3. Strengthen the governance of just transition by integrating it into the annual climate policy cycle, setting clear targets alongside sectoral actions, and ensuring it is a core, accountable part of national and local climate planning.
4. Establish Just Transition Indicators, supported by a robust governance structure, to monitor progress, ensure accountability, and make sure the needs of those most affected by the transition are fully considered.
5. Map and review existing relevant data, and address key gaps through collaborative monitoring, to enable evidence-based assessments and to better identify those people and places most affected by the transition.
6. Improve the National Dialogue on Climate Action in terms of accessibility, affordability and accountability, and by ensuring it amplifies the voices of those most impacted and informs future climate policy.
7. Integrate just transition into all climate communications including through inclusive language, practical guidance, and meaningful engagement with people’s lived experiences.

Ms Sheridan added: “In recent years, Ireland has begun to lay the foundations towards unlocking the ambitious action necessary to help secure a safe and thriving future for all. However, climate breakdown is worsening, and the impacts will be felt more widely and acutely across our country in the coming years. Indeed, the early meetings of the Commission took place against the backdrop of Storm Éowyn, which held up a mirror to our lack of preparedness, the need to significantly enhance our resilience, and the growing risks now posed to the people and places we care about, our communities and companies, and indeed to our lives and livelihoods.

“We have a huge opportunity now not only to approach just transition as a wider lens to inform a new vision for Ireland; to look beyond solely emission reductions towards transforming our society and economy to thrive while meeting social needs and respecting planetary boundaries. Now is the time to act with urgency, courage, and collaboration. We look forward to working together with society to shape a just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.”

Future work of the Just Transition Commission will include a detailed focus on key sectors and cross-cutting issues and provide targeted recommendations to support a fair and inclusive transition.

The full Introductory Report by the Just Transition Commission can be accessed here.

For more information, go to www.justtransitioncommission.ie .

Ends

For further information, contact: Eoin Hynes / Maisie Lynch, Alice Public Relations, Email: media@alicepr.com, Tel: 087-325 6268 / 086-896 6298 / 01-558 2151

High-Res Photos

High-res photos by press photographer Marc O’Sullivan – for reproduction free of charge – from a photocall held in the Botanic Gardens, Dublin to launch the Just Transition Commission’s Introductory Report are available to download here.

Media Spokespeople

• Ali Sheridan, Chair of the Just Transition Commission, is available for media interview via Alice Public Relations on the above contact details.

Just Transition Commission Members

• Ali Sheridan ─ chair of Just Transition Commission of Ireland, Lead UN High Level Climate Champions, member of EPA Advisory Board, Common Knowledge board member.
• Conor Minogue ─ senior policy executive with Ibec.
• 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.
• Evan Boyle ─ senior postdoctoral researcher with the MaREI Centre Energy, Climate and Marine co-ordinated by the Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork.
• Michelle Murphy ─ research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland.
• 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.
• Ryan McKinney ─ head of strategic change at Fórsa, Ireland’s second largest union.
• Séamus Ó Boland ─ Midlands farmer, CEO of Irish Rural Link, chair of the Irish Peatlands Council, chair of the Government interdepartmental committee responsible for implementation of the Peatlands Strategy.
• Suresh Kumar ─ deputy director for innovation and industrial transformation for the Scottish Government and former chief operating officer for the Max Planck Research Society.
• Tanya Ward ─ chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance.
• Vanessa Kiely O'Connor ─ farmer from Innishannon, Co Cork, representative of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), chair of Teagasc’s Advisory and Education Committee.

Introductory Report by the Just Transition Commission

Read the full Introductory Report by the Just Transition Commission here.

About the Just Transition Commission

The Just Transition Commission is an independent advisory body established on an administrative basis by Government Decision of 30^th 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.