Just Transition Funding

Just Transition Funding allows for the transition to a low carbon and climate resilient society that minimises the consequences of decarbonisation and climate impacts for households, communities and all sectors especially those who are already disadvantaged, on low incomes or those who are disproportionately affected by climate impacts and policy responses to these impacts.

For Example:

Carbon taxes causing fuel poverty.
Agricultural policy favouring afforestation, rewilding and livestock reduction resulting in changes to traditional farming and incomes.
The move away from peat and coal generated electricity, affecting livelihoods particularly in Ireland’s Midland counties.
The managed retreat from flood zones affecting people and their sense of place.
The modal shift from cars to public transport, walking and cycling to achieve better health, air quality and connectivity is harder to achieve in rural settings.
The disproportionate climate impact effects on small island nations, low-lying countries and areas with poor infrastructure due to severe weather events and rising sea level.

Other aspects of climate injustice noted by Global Elder Mary Robinson include:

The disproportionate effects of climate change impacts on people of colour, indigenous peoples, older people, women and children, particularly those living in poverty and those living in the global south.
Intergenerational injustice resulting from current generations not taking ambitious climate action now which leaves a legacy for the young people of today having to experience a depleted world of the future which has to deal with even more severe climate change impacts.
The right of developing nations to lift their citizens out of poverty now while at the same time respond to the increasing demands for decarbonisation. The measures that address this include e.g. offsetting emissions, emissions trading, bilateral aid and development programmes and global peacekeeping.

The Climate Action Plan commits to delivering a Just Transition recognising the significant level of change required to achieving a low carbon resilient society.

The Climate Advisory Annual Review (CAAR) for 2020 states that a “just transition calls for the equitable sharing of the burdens and opportunities, protecting the most disadvantaged, with responses developed in an inclusive way”.

The CAAR calls for the creation of a social dialogue that is inclusive and deliberative rather than one which is about who is to blame for emissions.

Just Transition policy design should be multidimensional and should take into account incomes savings, capacities across households and sectors with policies that build on synergies.

Socio- economic opportunities associated with adapting to climate change impacts and the decarbonisation of society are distributed across society and internationally during a just transition process.

The EU Green Deal proposes a Just Transition Mechanism that “provides targeted support to regions and sectors in the EU most affected by the transition to the green economy”. It also calls for inclusive dialogue and the continuous participation of the public in the development of policy responses.

Just transition funding calls will require demonstration of the above principles.

Climate Justice Resilience Fund
CJRF makes grants that create an impact from the local to the global through joint advocacy, peer learning, and knowledge sharing among regions facing similar climate justice issues. Their primary focus is on empowering youths, women, and vulnerable community groups on issues of climate justice and sustainability.

EU Just Transition Funding
The EU Just Transition Fund aims to support regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality, ensuring that no one is left behind. It addresses employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. In Ireland’s case, the territory supported by the Fund will focus on the regions where there have been direct impacts from the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat. Valid from 2021-2027.

Ireland will receive up to 169 million Euros. This will be directed towards achieving climate transition in 'midlands' region.

Green Transition Fund
The Green Transition Fund supports companies and businesses in Ireland, across each of the different aspects of their decarbonisation journey – from initial planning and capability building to investment, research and innovation.

InvestEU Fund
Operated by the European Investment Fund and the European Investment Bank, InvestEU is a fund created to support sustainability, innovation and job creation across Europe. They provide equity investments for Climate and Infrastructure projects including Clean Energy Transition among other themes.

Rethink Ireland
Rethink Ireland (previously Social Innovation Fund Ireland) supports the innovative non-profit organisations working in communities across the country.The Social Innovation Fund administered by Rethink Ireland uses matched funding from philanthropists and the Irish Government, Department of Rural and Community Development (Dormant Accounts Fund) and Departments of Employment and Social Protection and Children, to provide cash grants and supports for social innovators who add to the social and economic fabric of their communities.

The fund collaborates with corporates, SME’s, families and individuals who want new, tangible and real-world ways to tackle some of the pressing issues facing Ireland today. The aim of the fund is to advance social innovations making proven progress and impact in the areas of Climate Justice, Education, Economic Empowerment and Health.

The climate action areas funded include climate Justice, innovations addressing sustainability, climate change education, recycling, the circular economy, green production and waste awareness.Since 2016, Rethink Ireland has invested €4.9 million in green transition projects and support public engagement endeavours to stopping climate change.

Social Climate Fund
The Social Climate Fund has been introduced by the European Commission to finance temporary direct income support for vulnerable households and support measures that reduce emissions from transport and building sectors.