A just transition cannot be achieved without understanding the perspectives of the people and communities it is intended to benefit. Since its establishment, the Just Transition Commission has sought to support the embedding of fairness, evidence and meaningful participation across Ireland’s climate policymaking. To support that work, the Commission commissioned this baseline research to better understand public awareness, attitudes and expectations of the just transition.
The findings send a clear message. People recognise the need for climate action and want Ireland to succeed in the transition to a climate-neutral future. They also expect that transition to be fair. They want confidence that the costs and benefits will be shared equitably, that decisions will reflect the realities of their lives, and that they will have a meaningful voice in shaping the changes ahead. For policymakers, this research reinforces that fairness is not an optional consideration, it is fundamental to building public trust, maintaining support for climate action, and delivering lasting climate policy. These findings provide an important evidence base for the Commission’s advice to Government and establish a benchmark against which progress can be measured in the years ahead.