UN moves closer to ambitious deal on climate change
The answer to Ireland’s methane-emitting herd, responsible for more than 40% of greenhouse gases, might be to buy carbon credits by investing in forests and land reclamation in other parts of the world, said Nicholas Stern, an expert on climate change.
Eamon Ryan, leader of the Green Party and ex-environment minister, said the deal would have big implications for Ireland, especially transport and agriculture.
“Ireland has no plan and it’s fighting against the call for ambition by the EU and other countries. Instead of the Government looking for an opt-out on cutting our emissions we will have to do more,” he said.
Environment Minister Alan Kelly described the idea that the deal will affect Ireland’s agriculture policy as “all rubbish”. He said that with changes in technology, cattle feed, breeds, and more forestry, the effect of increasing the dairy herd by 50% would be negligible.
“We are possibly the greenest and one of the best countries in the world at producing food, and the idea that we should move away from what we are good at is insane,” he said.
Ireland, which along with New Zealand has the highest methane emissions globally because of cattle and sheep, is unlikely to meet the target of cutting greenhouse gas emission by 20% by 2020.
Mr Kelly said he expected it would be about 8% but the focus had to be on getting a more reasonable target for 2030 when negotiations begin in Brussels next year.
“Our real goal is in 2030, and how we transition towards what is achievable in 2030,” he said.
Mr Stern’s report for the UK government in 2006 is credited with convincing the world of the reality of climate change. Asked about Ireland’s agriculture, he said changes could be made to feed, for instance.
Mr Stern said: “There are some areas where it would be difficult to reduce to zero. In those areas it might make sense to involve offsets and to support reforestation or restore degraded land in other parts of the world. We all have to think about the consequences of our actions, of how we earn our living.”
Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly represented the European Parliament at the talks in Paris. He said Ireland should develop its green image without jeopardising the economy through research to develop new technologies that can be used to deal with emissions and be sold.
“What is the alternative? More floods cost a lot more than trying to develop alternatives to dealing with the issues — Ireland should see this as an opportunity,” he said.
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