Teagasc finds fall in agriculture emissions but challenges remain

GREENHOUSE gas emissions from agriculture are falling, but challenges remain for the sector, according to Teagasc.

It warned at a research forum in Tullamore that significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture may only be possible if the Irish cattle population were to go into steep decline over the next 10 years.

Trevor Donnellan, Teagasc Rural Economy Research Centre, pointed out, however, that agriculture is one sector of the economy in which GHG emissions are actually already decreasing.

New research by Teagasc economists indicates that emissions from agriculture will continue to fall over the next decade and that a reduction of 10% relative to 2005 levels is possible.

“Greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy are a growing concern. The Government has signed up to an EU commitment to reduce Ireland’s total GHG emissions by at least 20%, and by as much as 30% by 2020.

“Due to increases in population and higher levels of economic activity, total Irish GHG emissions have been growing over time and are projected to continue to increase unless measures are taken to reduce emissions,” he said.

Mr Donnellan said agriculture in most developed economies is a small component of overall GHG emissions.

Countries such as Ireland and New Zealand are notable exceptions.

Agriculture in both countries is highly export focused and hence is much larger than it would be if it were just supplying food for the domestic market.

“As a result, agricultural GHG emissions in Ireland are currently over one quarter of the country’s total emissions,” he said.

Mr Donellan said scientific research in Ireland is exploring changes to farming methods that will reduce GHG emissions from agriculture.

But it will take time for science to produce results than can be adopted by farmers and then become standard agricultural practice.

“Given the scale of the national GHG reduction target, adjustment in the agricultural sector will continue to be demanded by other sectors of the economy,” he said.