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Item Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment Volume 2: achieving climate neutrality by 2050(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023) McGookin, Connor; Menon, Abhay; McDonagh, Shane; Ó Gallachóir , Brian; Deane, Paul; Environmental Protection AgencyIreland’s Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) delivers a comprehensive, Ireland-focused, state of scientific knowledge report on our understanding of climate change, its impacts on Ireland, the options to respond to the challenges it poses, and the opportunities from transitions and transformations to a climate-neutral, climate-resilient and sustainable economy and society. This serves to complement and localise the global assessments undertaken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports (see www.ipcc.ch). The findings presented build upon these global assessments and add important local and national context. Volume 2 introduces our current best understanding of how to mitigate climate change with a central focus on Irish literature seeking to inform the pathway to a climate-neutral Ireland. The SPM is organised as follows. Section A sets out the current position in relation to greenhouse gas emissions and climate policy in Ireland. Section B outlines our options to achieve climate neutrality with a focus on future energy systems and greenhouse gas emission choices. Section C provides key insights for policy and Section D outlines key recommendations for future research investment.Item Framing transformative change(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023-12) Moriarty, Róisín; Stefaniec, Agnieszka; Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Transport; Department of the Environment, Climate and CommunicationsKey messages: Transformative change is a fundamental, system-wide reorganisation across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms and goals, and valuing the climate, the environment, equity and wellbeing within decision making (IPBES, 2018; IPCC, 2018). If Ireland is to achieve its goals under the national climate objective, the Paris Agreement and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, transformations will be necessary in the energy, food and land systems, urban systems (including planning, transport and buildings), livelihoods, lifestyles, development pathway, systems of governance and in participation. A clear long-term vision and plan for the transformation of each system will accelerate short-term action and enhance synergies while minimising and managing trade-offs and realising the benefits of transformative change.The decisions and actions taken this decade will reverberate for generations. Much of the groundwork for action has been lain and most technologies and solutions are already available. However, climate action is not occurring quickly enough: opportunities and benefits are being missed and the possibility of shaping a better future for all is being put at risk by not taking a holistic and systemic approach to change. Action needs to be scaled up and accelerated. An incremental approach will not deliver what is required. If Ireland is to address the scale, speed and depth of the change required to close the gap between ambition and action, an approach that focuses on rapid and systemic transformations is necessary. Equity is an important societal goal and an essential element of achieving transformative change both in terms of mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Including considerations of equity at the core of decision making is key to enabling transformative change that enhances living standards, while halving associated energy demand, reducing vulnerability and proactively preparing individuals, households, communities and systems for climate shocks. Climate change and biodiversity loss share many underlying drivers. These underlying drivers need to be addressed if Ireland is to achieve its national and international commitments. Just as the drivers of these crises are linked so too are the solutions. A long-term integrated strategic plan is necessary to drive action in the immediate and short terms, but also to deliver a strong signal on the direction of travel towards a climate-neutral, climate-resilient, biodiverse and sustainable future. Such a plan can leverage greater benefits and opportunities, now and in the future.Item Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Synthesis Report(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023-12) Thorne, Peter; Boucher, Jean; Caulfield, Brian; Daly, Hannah; Deane, Paul; Gallagher, Danielle; Heaphy, Liam; McClean, Deirdre; McDonagh, Shane; McElwain, Jennifer; McGookin, Connor; Menon, Abhay; Moriarty, Róisín; Murphy, Conor; Nolan, Paul; Noone, Clare; O’Brien, Enda; Ó Gallachóir, Brian; O’Mahony, Tadhg; O’Riordan, Tim; Quinn, Tara; Stefaniec , Agnieszka; Torne, Diarmuid; Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Transport; Department of the Environment, Climate and CommunicationsThis is the first Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) and is a major contribution to the national dialogue and engagement on climate change. It tells us what is known about climate change and Ireland. It also provides key insights on gaps in our knowledge. The development of ICCA was modelled on the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Sixth Assessment Cycle, completed in 2023, with the use of and localisation of its information for Ireland. ICCA will support the national response to climate change, ensuring that it is informed by the best available science. It also points to how and where that science can be improved through further investments in innovation, in research and in systematic observations. These collectively form the essential backbone of the science and data required to understand how Ireland is being impacted by and responding to the climate change challenge.The full Assessment has been developed through a co-creation process between leading academics in Ireland and officials from across state agencies and government departments. Funding was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and Department of Transport. The process was collaborative, involving mutual development and agreement of the scope, preparation and review of drafts, wider stakeholder consultation through a series of workshops and meetings, and a detailed sign-off process. We see the publication of ICCA as a real innovation for Ireland and as a resource for understanding climate change in an Irish context across the underlying science, mitigation and adaptation measures, and opportunities. It is a starting point for further dialogue on the findings and their utility for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, research funders and people. This engagement phase should continue far beyond the publication of this Assessment and support climate action in Ireland.Item Transforming landscapes(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023-12) Moriarty, Róisín; Daly, Hannah; Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Transport; Department of the Environment, Climate and CommunicationsKey messages: Transformative change across multiple systems interconnected in the landscape offers a myriad benefits and opportunities in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, with wider gains for society and the economy. Of all transformations, inappropriate land management can have ‘severe and unintended consequences’, particularly for biodiversity loss, with implications for climate action and society. While conflicting land-use objectives cannot be avoided, decisions that maximise synergies while managing trade-offs can significantly reduce conflicts while enhancing benefits and opportunities. A long-term integrated strategy for land-use management is necessary if this is to be achieved. Climate change and biodiversity loss share many underlying drivers related to unsustainable resource use, including the use of land. Tackling these crises together enhances synergies while managing the trade-offs that exist between them. Social benefits include sustainable job creation and the protection and enhancement of human wellbeing. Such benefits aid the social transformation required to enable action on climate change and biodiversity loss. If planned and managed in an appropriate manner, carbon stores on land can be maintained and enhanced. Afforestation is a cost-effective and scalable option for carbon removal. There is an emerging industry and bioeconomy around forestry in Ireland. Forests have the potential to become centres for cultural heritage, craftmanship, traditional knowledge and innovation, alongside diversifying livelihood options in rural communities. Nature conservation (immediate benefits) and restoration (longer-term benefits) are cost-effective, enhance carbon removals and reduce vulnerability and strengthen synergies between mitigation and adaptation actions. Benefits include improved food security, nutrition, health, wellbeing, support for livelihoods and sustainability and ensuring nature’s contributions to people.Item Transforming public participation and catalysing change(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023-12) Moriarty, Róisín; Daly, Hannah; Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland; Department of Transport; Department of the Environment, Climate and CommunicationsKey messages: System change is necessary so that individuals can lead low-carbon and resilient lives, as opposed to individuals taking responsibility for changing their behaviour. However, individuals participating in collective action play a role in changing systems. Policies and measures need to be perceived as fair and work to reduce inequalities if the public are to engage with and support the disparate change required to act on climate change and biodiversity loss. Inclusive public participation in policymaking is a key enabler of climate action and can increase social trust. Empowered communities can drive change at a local level, which can drive and reinforce broader societal shifts. Change is not happening fast enough. Catalysts can augment the speed, scale and depth of change and overcome inertia within the system. Catalysts include leadership, social movements, litigation and culture. Children and young people have been instrumental in catalysing change and keeping climate action on the political agenda. Through social movements and litigation, they have reframed climate action, or the lack thereof, as a social justice and intergenerational human rights issue.