Evidence Synthesis Report 12: Impediments to Agricultural Land Use Change and Interventions for Multifunctional Land Use Outcomes
Authors: Tracy Bradfield, Noreen Byrne and Miguel Tafula
Summary: This report is one of a number of evidence synthesis reports funded by the EPA that are intended to support and inform the National Land Use Review. The second phase of the Land Use Review commenced in October 2023, being co-led by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Review sought 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.
This report was carried out under the EPA’s Fast Track to Policy scheme, which supports the rapid generation of evidence to inform the design and implementation of effective and robust environmental policy. The funding stream is designed to deliver quick-turnaround evidence reviews that address urgent policy questions.
Led by University College Cork, the report focuses on identifying social, behavioural, and knowledge-related factors that hinder farmers from adopting land use changes aligned with government objectives — including improvements in socioeconomic conditions, climate resilience, biodiversity, and water and air quality. It also explores strategies to encourage land use changes that support economic, social, and environmental goals.
The findings are based on a systematic evidence review of academic literature, government reports, and publications from both Irish and international sources.
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