The NERI webinar 'Four Case Studies on Just Transition: Lessons for Ireland' took place on Wednesday 28th April, 2021 at 15:00. Sinéad Mercier, consultant on Climate Change and Just Transition law presented and NERI economist, Paul Goldrick-Kelly responded.
These case studies were a contribution to the March 2020 National Economic and Social Council Report 'Addressing Employment Vulnerability as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland', described as a 'contemporary candidate' for the Whitaker Report by President Michael D. Higgins.
As other countries begin their transitions, Ireland can serve as an international example of a proactive, inclusive and place-based just transition to an economy that operates within environmental and social limits.
An analysis of transitions away from fossil-fuel-based regional employment in Australia’s Latrobe Valley, Scotland’s Just Transition Commission and Germany’s Ruhr Valley and Lausitz/Lusatia finds that an inclusive, iterative, place-based, context-specific approach enabled by public investment provides the best outcomes, including the creation of low-carbon employment alternatives.
Webinar format:
Sinéad Mercier began the seminar by presenting findings on her paper titled 'Four Case Studies on Just Transition: Lessons for Ireland'. The paper is available here. Following the initial presentation the discussant, Paul Goldrick-Kelly commented on different aspects of the paper with the hope of opening up a more engaged discussion on the issues raised in the paper. It finished with a Q & A section being put forward through the chairperson Paul Mac Flynn, NERI.