In addition to grappling with the curtailment of greenhouse gas emissions, farmers will have to respond to possible environmentally-related shifts in consumer preferences. At the same time, biomass fuels and afforestation are likely to present new opportunities for farmers. The government faces a range of challenges in relation to the public finances and the operation of the public sector.
The public investment programme will have to devote sufficient resources to the retrofitting of the public housing stock, schools, hospitals and other publicly-owned buildings. In addition, public investment will be required for climate adaptation, including protection against flooding and rising sea levels. In addition, it will also have to support the energy conversion of the public transport system.