EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Chapter 2: Climate Change The European Green Deal emphasises that the transition must be just and inclusive, putting people first, and must pay attention to the regions, industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges (EC, 2019b). The EU will support this through the introduction of a Just Transition Mechanism, including a Just Transition Fund. The Climate Action Plan 2019 commits to delivering a just transition for communities, low-income groups and households. As recognised in the Climate Action Plan, investing in the reskilling and upskilling of Ireland’s population is essential so that nobody is left behind. The National Economic and Social Council has recommended ‘continuous, pre-emptive workforce development’ as part of a just transition ‘that is fair, participative and place-based both in process and in outcome’ (NESC, 2020). Topic Box 2.3 Bord na Móna and the Just Transition (EU, 2018) Bord na Móna recognises its role in the community and has taken steps to prepare individuals and communities to transition away from peat production, with skills training for workers The transition from peat to renewable energy is necessary, but it cannot be done without a consideration of the hopes and concerns of communities where peat production is not just a source of income but also of identity and community. Currently, Bord Na Móna supports 4000 jobs directly and indirectly through its operations. The history of the company is deeply linked with the communities, with many workers being third-generation turf cutters. Given this, the government appointed Kieran Mulvey as Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019 to engage with key stakeholders in the Midlands, and created a Just Transition task force. The first progress report by the Just Transition Commissioner, released in May 2020, has driven home the challenge ahead to transition Ireland away from peat and towards a low-carbon future (Mulvey, 2020). The report considers issues including employment creation, regulation, heritage, carbon taxation and current and future funding. The Budget 2020 committed €6 million to a Just Transition Fund for the Midlands (on the announcement that it is to close its two power plants at Lanesborough and Shannonbridge, the ESB committed to a contribution of €5 million to this fund, so it now stands at €11 million). In addition to this, €5 million is to be dedicated to bog restoration and rehabilitation, and €20 million to group housing upgrades in the Midlands. In May 2020 the first call for proposals under the Just Transition Fund was launched. Priorities for the fund include retraining workers and generating sustainable employment in green enterprise in the region. Bord na Móna recognises its role in the community and has taken steps to prepare individuals and communities to transition away from peat production, with skills training for workers: n its Eco-Rangers programme, for school children to learn about biodiversity in wetlands, is changing the next generation’s relationship with peatlands, from sources of energy to places of ecological importance n critically, Bord na Móna recognises the risks to a just transition, namely the social costs, as outlined in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Report Building a Just Transition: The Case of Bord na Móna (ICTU, 2019). 55