Just Transition: Embedding social justice in low-carbon futures

Wednesday, 7th June, 9am to 2 pm at Room E201, Smurfit Business College of Business Organised by the UCD Earth Institute’s Just Transition Research Group. Speakers: Prof. John Barry, Prof. Niamh Moore-Cherry, Prof. Donna Marshall, Prof. Julie Byrne, Prof. Patrick Brodie, Dr. Kate Flood, Dr. Kieran Harrahill

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Transitioning to a low-carbon economy requires transformative changes in technology, society, human behaviour, and institutional practices. There is a need to understand better how a low-carbon transition can be realised in such a way that no one is left behind. There is substantial consensus and also recognised in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2023 that this transition ought to be rooted in social justice principles so that the benefits and burdens of decarbonizing society are shared equitably. However, knowledge and good practices on how this can be achieved are part of the wider debate on how to transition to a low-carbon future.

Researchers, policymakers, labour unions, civil society, businesses, and others recognise that social
justice has to be embedded in the practices and processes that will enable the transition to a low-carbon economy, which is generally captured under the concept of Just Transition. Hence, Just Transition is a unifying term that brings together research, knowledge, and stakeholders associated with the social implication of the transition to a low future.

Speakers include:

Prof. John Barry, Queens School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics

Prof. Niamh Moore-Cherry, UCD School of Geography

Prof. Donna Marshall, UCD School of Business

Prof. Julie Byrne, UCD School of Business

Prof. Patrick Brodie, UCD School of Information and Communication Studies

Dr. Kate Flood, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Kieran Harrahill, TASC

During this conference, we facilitate a cross-disciplinary dialogue to encourage integrated and interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of how a Just Transition to a low-carbon future can be achieved. We will explore questions such as:
● How can research on Just Transition contribute to the decarbonisation of our socio-economic
systems?
● How can we produce knowledge that can ensure social justice is not compromised during the
transition process?
● How can integrated and interdisciplinary research contribute to solving complex societal
problems?

This event is organised by the Just Transition Research Group (JTRG). The JTRG aims to build a national and international research network for promoting peer-to-peer learning of concerned, interested, and affected stakeholders for generating knowledge, debate, discussions, policy suggestions, and practical examples for a Just Transition.