Lost in transition: Peat workers’ experiences of Finland’s and Ireland’s just energy transitions

Keywords: energy; just transition; peat; Finland; Ireland
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

The current fossil fuel reliant global energy system is in rapid transition towards low-carbon energy sources. The challenges posed by this transition vary across different national, political and sociocultural contexts. This presentation takes a focus on the national low-carbon energy transitions of Finland and Ireland with a specific interest on how the countries have transitioned away from using peat as an energy source. Bound by common EU climate policies, both Finland and Ireland have sought to make significant emission reductions through giving up the use of energy peat, a semi-fossil fuel whose utilization as an energy source is both carbon dioxide emission intensive and contributes to the degradation of peatlands that globally serve as significant carbon sinks. Alongside letting go of an energy source, the transition away from peat energy has also meant the loss of a locally and regionally significant livelihood. As a part of the national transition policies, those working with peat have been promised a “just transition”. Making use of empirical data from both countries, this presentation highlights the experiences of those most affected by the ongoing transition and draws attention to the multifaceted injustices experienced by those whose lives and livelihoods have been dependent on peat. Observations made based on the similarities between the two national case studies can be utilized can be utilized in planning better transition policies on the path towards a socially just low-carbon energy system in a global world.