Academic Advisory Panel - Just Transition Plan in land use and agriculture: advisory note

The Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) preapred this advisory note in response to a request from Scottish Government officials and AAP members to discuss how the principles of Just Transition could be effectively embedded throughout the wider land use and agriculture sectors, by both government and those working within the industry. This note summarises the discussion held during the AAP meeting on 12 May 2025.

Introduction

Scotland has committed to becoming a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting nation by 2045. Achieving this goal will require transformation that reduces GHG emissions, increases the level of carbon removed from the atmosphere, restores biodiversity, and protects nature. Both the land use and agricultural sectors will play a fundamental role in achieving these outcomes.

Scottish Government is committed to ensuring this transition is fair and inclusive, guided by a principle of a “just transition”. To support this goal, government will soon consult on a draft Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan, building on previous engagement with stakeholders and the Just transition in land use and agriculture: a discussion paper.

Key areas identified as fundamental for just transition include fairness for affected communities, the complexity of measuring progress, the importance of both long- and short-term outcomes, and embedding just transition principles into everyday decision-making across government, industry, and research. The goal is to create a culture where just transition becomes a core part of how change is managed in the sector, with shared responsibility across all those involved.

The Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) is invited to share their professional opinion on how Just Transition could be effectively embedded throughout the wider land use and agriculture sectors by both government and those within the various related industries.

Key Summary

AAP recommends that:

Policy should aim to be more equitable and clearly communicated, drawing on meaningful insight from a broad and diverse range of stakeholders. Without this, there is a risk that a gap between policy ambitions and on-the-ground realities could create disengagement among producers, impact rural economies, and limit progress toward climate, nature, and social objectives.

The AAP recommends embedding Just Transition principles across the land use and agriculture sectors through a series of key actions. These include:

• addressing long-standing social justice and diversity challenges in agriculture by integrating underrepresented voices and enabling more inclusive participation, while supporting the sector in adapting to changing needs
• investing in research to strengthen community engagement, particularly in areas such as forestry and land management, ensuring that communities are equipped to participate meaningfully in opportunities arising from land use change
• providing communities with the legal and organisational tools necessary to manage benefits from development projects in a fair, transparent, and effective way
• involving those with direct experience such as farmers, crofters, and smallholders in decision-making processes. It is important to consider how local experience can be integrated with broader policy perspectives to ensure balanced and effective outcomes
• stronger policy integration and coordination across government departments is also essential. Embedding Just Transition principles within legislation, including the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act and Good Food Nation Act, can help align efforts and support coherent delivery
• involving researchers and practitioners early in the policy process to help reflect the diversity of farming systems and rural communities. It also encourages the development of national frameworks to facilitate responsible private sector investment, and the adoption of fair-trade policies that ensure domestic producers can compete under fair conditions for everyone

Key discussion points:

AAP recommends integrating the principles of Just Transition across the wider land use and agriculture sectors by considering the following recommendations:

1. Address diversity and social justice inequalities in agriculture

Diversity is an important aspect of building a resilient agricultural sector, yet it has often been underrepresented in discussions around a Just Transition. Recently efforts have been made to support women and new entrants. However, broader social justice issues still require further attention (e.g. in relation to other protected characteristics). Data should be collected which enables tracking of changes in diversity of the farming sector. The sector has traditionally operated within established norms, but external assessments increasingly highlight areas where greater inclusivity can strengthen both social and economic outcomes. Incorporating a wider range of perspectives, including those from outside the sector, can help ensure future policies support equity and promote meaningful change in the sector towards equality.

2. Invest in research and strive for more effective local engagement

In sectors like forestry, there has been a growing focus on wood creation and community benefits, aligned with Just Transition principles. However, many communities lack the capacity and resources to take advantage of these opportunities, often resulting in reactive rather than proactive engagement.

Targeted research is needed to identify where and how communities can engage with and contribute to land use, such as through recreation, land access, and/or co-management. Efforts should be made to actively engage with communities to shape how research outputs are used and how land use decisions are made.

Trust in information and belief in the impact of engagement is critical. Local communities, non-governmental organisations, policymakers, and the research community all play a valuable role in providing clear evidence, tools, and metrics to support decision-making and communicate the benefits of community-led initiatives.

3. Support communities with legal and organisational tools necessary to manage development project benefits

Small communities experiencing rapid change, such as development of renewable energy projects, can face challenges in managing community benefits. Many lack the legal and organisational infrastructure needed to oversee and spend funds effectively. Regulatory frameworks may also prevent communities from using funds for essential services or create a “chicken-and-egg” problem, where training is available, but there are no funds to purchase the equipment required to participate in training.

A sudden influx of funds can also lead to internal tensions within communities over how resources are distributed, especially when benefits are shared unevenly. In some cases, land managers, or estate owners receive significantly more financial gains than others, which leads to perception of unfairness. Community benefit trusts or funds can support the transparent distribution of benefit payments and allow communities to pool and manage funds long term. Collaboratively produced development plans that set out local priorities for spending, skills and investment help ensure that community members agree on how funds will be used.

It is important that local governments and/or (renewable energy) developers offer support such as community development officers, grant advice, governance toolkits, and/or legal templates. Small communities should be supported to collaborate regionally to access shared legal, financial, or project management expertise and learn from other communities that have done this successfully.

4. Ensure that land use decisions reflect both local experience and broader impacts

Engaging those who live and work on the land – such as farmers, crofters, smallholders, and landowners – is essential for effective land use policy. Inclusive engagement with underrepresented groups supports fairness and helps ensure decisions are informed by practical experience. Initiatives such as the “Food Conversation” project run by the Food Farming Countryside Commission (FFCC) demonstrate how citizen involvement can influence responsive government action, and promote the fair treatment of farmers and crofters.

Without meaningful community engagement, government decisions can result in unintended consequences at the local level that may be overlooked. However, care should be taken when seeking engagement as policies seen only through individual experience may limit understanding of broader needs. Fairness, inclusivity and collaboration should guide decisions across all levels – individual, community, local and national.

Furthermore, tensions can arise when land use changes affect communities with limited agricultural knowledge, leading to misunderstandings. Research organisations can help bridge this gap by accessing and representing a wider range of perspectives and informing more inclusive policy making.

5. Ensure policy integration and cross-departmental coordination

Clear coordination across government departments helps ensure policies are aligned and coherent.  Embedding Just Transition principles into relevant legislation such as the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act and the Good Food Nation Act can support integrated approaches.

Just Transition principles must be embedded from the start in any policy development. Policies should be inclusive and reflect the diversity both within and across farms and communities. They must also offer flexible solutions suited to different farm types and sizes, and consider economic, social, and climate objectives together – focusing on one alone is insufficient.

Researchers and practitioners should be involved earlier in the policy process to help anticipate and research impacts and support practical implementation with evidence and experience.

6. Improve engagement with private sector finance

The role of private finance in delivering Just Transition is evolving, and there is a need for greater clarity around how it can support positive outcomes. A national framework could help attract investment while ensuring that it delivers broad public benefits.

Clear guidance and oversight can support transparent investment decisions, encourage responsible private sector participation, and provide reassurance to communities and land managers about the intended outcomes of financial partnerships. Government should develop a communications strategy around private investment that explains and supports Just Transition principles.

7. Ensure fair integration of trading rules.

Consistency in trading standards is important to ensure that domestic producers are not disadvantaged by external market pressures.  Trade agreements should support high standards in areas such as environmental performance and animal welfare and align with broader sustainability goals. Integrating trade policy with Just Transition objectives can help ensure that local producers are supported and that transitions are both fair and economically viable.

Annex I Just Transition - Research

Agriculture and Food Production: Measures for a Just Transition | SEFARI – discussion on a number of measures that have been recently proposed, or implemented, to help agriculture and food production to be more sustainable. A transition of practices needs to be just for everyone. Article considers both the opportunities and challenges ahead for agriculture and food production sectors.

Careers and skills for a future climate | SEFARI – summary of a workshop organised by SEFARI to engage young people in co-designing climate transition pathways and identifying skills and careers needed in the context of climate transition and Net Zero goals. Recommendations aimed to better prepare young people for future climate-related careers and ensure education is more aligned with the needs of a transitioning economy.