The Wider Midlands is the first region in Ireland experiencing a concentrated transition away from carbon intensive activities. Jobs in peat will make way for jobs in renewable energy, bog rehabilitation and other new business opportunities. DECC has established a National Just Transition Fund to ensure that workers and the Midlands as a community are fully supported.
The Minister appointed Kieran Mulvey as Just Transition Commissioner in November 2019 to engage with stakeholders in the Midlands region and recommend the essential elements of a just transition.
The first progress report from the Just Transition Commissioner was published on the 22 May 2020 and the government published their initial response the same day.
The second progress report was published on the 25 November 2020, providing a further update on progress on just transition in the Midlands.
The third progress report was published in July 2021 along with an update on the implementation of the Just Transition across the Midlands.
‘It has been truly a significant Year of Just Transition in the Midlands and on the basis of what has been achieved and the structures put in place within the region and the increasing alignment with Central Government and particularly the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, I feel reassured that there will be positive and momentous developments throughout the whole of the Midlands in the years ahead.’ – Just Transition Commissioner, Mr Kieran Mulvey.
Link to the 3 Progress Reports from Just Transition Commissioner:
Link to National Just Transition Fund:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ed10d-just-transition-fund/
