A new report has found that the socio-economic rights of many Clare communities are under threat by Ireland’s current approach to achieving climate targets.
The Clare Public Participation Network has outlined 27 strategic recommendations for local and national policymakers aimed at reducing emissions and tackling poverty in the county.
The landmark report entitled “Securing socio-economic rights & a just transition in County Clare” was authored by Roisín Greaney and Kieran Harrahill.
The research was compiled following public workshops in Ennis, Scariff, Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennistymon and Shannon and focused on the issues of Employment, Tourism, Carers, Energy, Transport, Agriculture, Housing and Healthcare in the county.
As it stands, Ireland’s climate goals involve reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050.
The goal of a just transition is to do this without compromising income, access to services, infrastructure, or employment opportunities.
Beef farmers in Clare which make up 81% of this county’s holdings, were found to be facing an unjust transition due to the economically unsustainable nature of the practice coupled with the urgent need to reduce emissions.
Those struggling financially were found to be burdened by the lack of affordable green energy solutions in comparison to solid fuels.
For rural communities, the report stresses the need to avoid a ‘one size fits all approach’ citing the lack of a universal public transport service in the country which is deepening car dependency for those who are already living further away from essential services.
Currently, just 6.6% of people here use public transport to get to work, which is half the national average.
Among the key recommendations of the report is the establishment of a social enterprise hub to serve the county, the expansion of the fully funded home retrofit scheme to more middle and low-income families and targeted farm transition supports rather than flat payments.
The Clare Public Participation Network will unveil the findings this evening at a free ticketed event in the Temple Gate Hotel tonight at 6pm.
The full report can be read here
