Final Report of Land Use Review Phase 2 published

‘A Living Land’, the final report for phase 2 of the National Land Use Review, has now been published. This fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government 2025: ‘Securing Ireland’s Future’ – which set out “complete the second phase of the Land Use Review, which aims to balance environmental, social and economic considerations.” The

first phase of the Land Use Review had focused on evidence gathering and was completed in March 2023, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Phase 2 of the review was led by an Oversight Group, independently chaired by Geraldine Tallon. The final report from the Oversight Group – entitled ‘A Living Land’ – was sent to the three responsible Ministers, namely: the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon; and the Minister of State at Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O’Sullivan. Following consideration by the three Ministers and further consideration at broader Government level, the report has now been published.

‘A Living Land’ describes current land use patterns, and the various demands on land in delivering on our national environmental commitments, particularly in the context of a climate-neutral economy in 2050. Its purpose is to inform an evidence base for Government, with a view to supporting policy-makers and landholders in complex decision making – regarding competing demands for future land-use in the context of achieving Ireland’s agricultural, socio-economic, climate, water quality and environmental objectives.

It is not an articulation of government policy or a new strategy in relation to land use, nor has it been adopted by Government.

‘A Living Land’ depicts academic models on how Ireland could potentially reach climate neutrality by 2050. These modelled ‘pathways’ demonstrate the breadth of possible future land use patterns and include a range of challenging scenarios.

Land use underpins our world class agri-food sector, with exports worth €21 billion to the Irish economy as well as many non-economic benefits, including cultural identity, biodiversity and heritage. While ‘A Living Land’ highlights that land management practices need to evolve further to fully deliver on Ireland’s interlinked land use opportunities, objectives and commitments, it also points out many existing examples of best practice and government leadership in Ireland.

Commenting on the report, Minister O’Brien said:

"I welcome the publication of A Living Land. This report makes an important contribution to the national conversation on the optimal use of land in Ireland, helping us meet both our climate and economic objectives."

Minister Martin Heydon noted:

"Land is one of our greatest yet finite resources. Farmers, as stewards of the land, set out daily to deliver for us all in terms of food production and wider ecosystem services; they know best the importance of multi-functional land use. This is evidenced through ACRES Cooperation and other best in class examples documented in the report."

National land use governance framework

The report recommends that Ireland should develop a national land use governance framework. This provides a key opportunity space for the Government to better coordinate existing policies with a land use dimension, to meet its environmental obligations, and to coordinate and incentivise public and private land holders to manage the capacity of land to provide multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. It suggests that this should be actioned by a Land Use Taskforce co-chaired by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to include senior representatives from the Department of Housing and other relevant Departments and bodies.

This framework would examine how the State can encourage optimal use of land to meet a variety of societal needs, including sustainable food production, whilst delivering including socio-economic benefits, restoring nature, improving water quality, enhancing climate adaptation and mitigation. It will also work closely with the Adaptation Taskforce.

‘A Living Land’ can be viewed at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/land-use-review-phase-2/