The net-zero transition is an increasingly contentious and polarising issue in food and agricultural spheres. As livestock systems contribute approximately 12 percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions, and about 40 percent of total emissions from agri-food systems, livestock farmers are at the frontlines of this transition.

The just transition framework can provide foresight into the social, climate and environmental justice ramifications of sustainability transition policies, processes and outcomes and are increasingly relevant to achieving food systems transformation. In practice, the just transition framework can support the creation of policies which balance human and environmental wellbeing.     

This research will apply a just transition lens to examine both public and private initiatives to achieve net zero in Welsh agriculture and land use, with a case study on livestock farming in Mid-Wales.