Press release
Phase 2 of Land Use Review commences
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Review is part of critical work to address the climate and biodiversity crises, and recognises the role that farm families play as custodians of our environment.
Minister Ryan (Environment, Climate and Communications), Minister McConalogue (Agriculture, Food and the Marine) and Minister of State Noonan (Heritage and Electoral Reform) have commenced Phase 2 of the Land Use Review, as committed to under the Programme for Government.
The first phase of the Land Use Review focused on evidence gathering and was completed earlier this year. The second phase, following on from the first, will seek to identify the key demands on land (both public and private) to inform policies for land use across key government objectives, improving socioeconomic*, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes.
At the heart of the review will be a recognition of the very significant role that farmers and farm families play as custodians of our environment and in the overall success of the economy and society as a whole, the need to build on the momentum farm families and their businesses have achieved in sustainable food production, and addressing environmental ambitions. The review will also recognise that the measures available to farmers will be voluntary and done in partnership and in collaboration with Government.
The work will note, in particular, that the remaining years of this decade are critical if we are to address the climate and biodiversity crises which threaten our safe future on this planet, and that clean air and water are essential to the health and welfare of all our people.
In addition, Phase 2 of the Land Use Review will inform the preparation of future Climate Action Plans, including in supporting the consideration of Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) targets and the identification of policies and measures to achieve emissions reductions for the LULUCF sector.
An oversight group, chaired by retired Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Geraldine Tallon, will deliver Phase 2. She will report to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and the Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform.
The group will prepare both an interim report and a final report taking into account the outputs of two working groups which will be established. A technical working group will be chaired by Mark Scott, Professor of Planning and Dean of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy in UCD. A citizen engagement working group will communicate, inform, engage and motivate all stakeholders on the agreed national priorities that comprise a shared vision for the necessary transition in land use. The group will be chaired by Rory O’Donnell, retired Director of NESC (National Economic and Social Council).
*Socio-economic outcomes include: food and fibre production; incomes and employment, especially on family farms; maintaining resilient rural communities; and the provision of housing and housing material.
Geraldine Tallon is a former civil servant, who worked in many different roles in the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, retiring as Secretary General of the department in 2014. Since her retirement, she has undertaken a number of public service and voluntary roles. She is a graduate of UCD and lives in Co Wicklow.
Mark Scott is Professor of Planning and Dean of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy in University College Dublin, where is has worked for over 21 years. He has an academic background in environmental planning and rural development and has extensive research experience in the areas of planning and sustainability, rural planning, land-use governance, heritage, and climate action. He has published widely in these areas including four books and over 120 peer-reviewed papers and chapters. He is a Corporate Member of the Irish Planning Institute and a Fellow of the Regional Studies Association. Last year, Professor Scott was appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to the Board of the Heritage Council.
Dr Rory O’Donnell is an Adjunct Professor and Fellow of the Geary Institute in University College Dublin (UCD). He has extensive experience in policy analysis in support of dialogue and shared understanding among diverse stakeholders, having worked as Economist in the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and as Director from 2002 to 2019. In 2021, he chaired a Teagasc review of ASSAP, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Service. He holds a MSc in Economics from the University of London, a PhD from the University of Cambridge and was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UCD in recognition of his contribution to public policy in Ireland.