A ‘Greenish’ Transition? - Kildare seminar on dealing with end of peat extraction on bogs

A ‘Greenish’ Transition? is a seminar which will take place at Rathangan Community Library on Saturday, December 2 from 10am to 1pm. 

"For communities across the greater midlands the term ‘Just Transition’ is associated with the ESB’s  closure of the Shannonbridge and Lanesboro Power Stations, and the ending of peat extraction by of Bord na Mona. ‘Just Transition’ holds the promise for workers and their communities of major economic change and job losses being managed in a fair way, leaving no one behind," said the organisers.

"At National Level the Climate Action Bill 2021 referenced ‘Just Transition’ in relation to the ‘transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy.’  In addition to the ‘Climate Crisis’, it was also recognised that we are experiencing a ‘Biodiversity Crisis’.

"This led to the appointment of Climate Officers and Biodiversity Officers at county level. But as we move into the second phase of Just Transition in the Greater Midlands, this seminar will explore how we are managing these changes - questioning the depth and focus of our transition so far and asking - Is it really a ‘Just Transition’ and how is fairness measured? Or is it essentially a ‘greenish’ business as usual transition?"

Speakers include Robert Keogh, TASC, who will present TASC’s ‘People’s Transition Model’ which views climate action as an enabler of local development, and provides communities with ownership over the process; and Sadhbh O’Neill on ‘The Climate Criss and Climate Justice’. Sadhbh is probably best known for her role as campaign coordinator for Climate Case Ireland which pursued a successful legal challenge against the Irish government over climate policy.

This is a free event taking place and is funded by Kildare County Council and Creative Ireland. Phone 045 528078 or email rathanganlib@ kildarecoco.ie to book a place.