Adaptation isn’t for farmers: narratives of injustice around climate adaptation in Irish agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture is widely recognised as one of the most vulnerable sectors to climate change. Despite this vulnerability, adaptation efforts have progressed slowly over the past several decades. Ireland is no exception, with higher temperatures and more variable rainfall impacting farmers and making adaptation necessary. However, despite commitments since 2018, agriculture has made only moderate or limited adaptation progress to date. Through narrative analysis using a justice and just transition lens, this paper explores how the framing of adaptation in rural community narratives portrays adaptation as an unfair burden on farmers. Document analysis, interviews with agricultural professionals, and a workshop revealed four narrative elements that were perceived to contribute to farming and rural communities feeling unjustly treated and resistant to implementing climate adaptation measures. The first is a general narrative of injustice in rural areas compared to urban areas. Second is a narrative that the purpose of climate adaptation is not to help farmers deal with climate impacts, but rather to provide climate mitigation and environmental improvements. Third is a feeling that when the environment wins, farmers lose. Finally, a narrative exists that farmers have been repeatedly asked to change their farming practices at their own expense and at their own risk to achieve larger societal goals. The findings underscore the need for adaptation narratives to take perceptions of justice into account, and to promote narratives that highlight specific benefits to farmers and their families. Such reframing could strengthen farmer engagement and foster greater support for climate adaptation initiatives.