€169 million under the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) will be invested in Ireland to support a fair transition to a climate neutral economy.

15th December 2022 – The European Commission has adopted Ireland’s Territorial Just Transition Plan and the associated Programme for the period of 2021-2027. Government approval for the Territorial Just Transition Plan and EU JTF Programme was secured on 29th November 2022.

EMRA was appointed Managing Authority of this new Fund in December 2021 by The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. EMRA has been working alongside the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) to produce a comprehensive and integrated programme to deliver this Fund to the designated territory.

The EU JTF is a new Fund for the 2021-2027 EU programming period. It aims to address the negative impacts of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories, workers and communities across Europe. In Ireland, the Fund will support the Midlands area (see EU JTF territory here) where commercial peat extraction has ended and peat-fired power generation is being wound down. The designation of the Territory was agreed by the Government of Ireland based on the recommendations of several evidence-based assessments.

Ireland’s allocation from the EU fund for the 2021-2027 period amounts to around €84.5 million. With co-financing from Exchequer resources, the total EU JTF Programme will amount to €169 million until 2027.

Following detailed engagement with key stakeholders, including public consultation, the EU JTF Programme will focus on three priorities:

• Generating employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy
• Supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of degraded peatlands and regeneration and repurposing of industrial heritage assets
• Providing former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition

EMRA and DECC are currently working closely with programme partners to prepare the implementation phase of the Programme and start delivering on its objectives. A formal launch of the Programme is planned for 2023.

Read Minister Ryan’s Press Release

More information on the EU Just Transition Fund including a Frequently Asked Questions document can be found on EMRA’s dedicated page and on eufunds.ie/home/our-funds/just-transition-fund/