By the EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

The EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group, in partnership with Irish Rural Link, organised a conference in Ireland to explore the topic of "Just Transition" from multiple angles.

The Civil Society Organisations' Group, in partnership with Irish Rural Link (IRL), a national network representing the interest of rural communities in Ireland, held a joint conference on 9 June in Tullamore, Ireland.

The conference explored the topic of "Just Transition" from multiple angles and speakers debated the necessity for, as well as the opportunities emanating from, Just Transitions in the following three panels:

• Strengthening communities and building capacities through recreation and heritage;
• Creating jobs and delivering renewable energy;
• Investing in education and training.

The conference was opened by Pippa Hackett, minister of state for land use and biodiversity, with guest speakers Kieran Mulvey, just transition commissioner, Ireland; Declan Harvey, chair of Offaly County Council, and Séamus Boland, president of the Civil Society Organisations' Group and CEO of IRL.

Speaking about the conference, Séamus Boland, said: "I am delighted to be able to bring my EESC Group to Tullamore to see first-hand how the Just Transition is being implemented in an area which has been impacted most by the measures needed to address climate change. It is also important to highlight the vital role communities play in a Just Transition and ensuring that they are involved and engaged with every step of the way".

Minister Pippa Hackett said: "We stand in the doorway to transition – we can see the landscape ahead, some of us have dipped our toes in, but many of us are, understandably, reluctant to fully commit as to do so is to wave goodbye to what we know, what we understand.  Civil Society Organisations have a tremendously important role to play as communicators, mediators and animators of both the people most impacted and those legislating, at national and EU level, for transition. I welcome this conference as one more important step along the road for the most impacted regions of the EU, including our own Midlands region of Ireland".

The conclusions and recommendations, a video recording and photos of the conference as well as the presentations of all guest speakers are available on the EESC website . (jk)