Ursula von der Leyen: Irish farmers can 'lead the way' on climate transition

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman, last month. “There are ways in which Ireland can cut emissions in its livestock sector, and not just by reducing the number of animals." File photo: Julien Behal

Ireland can “lead the way” in reducing agricultural emissions and climate-friendly farming, according to the European Commission president - as a major new report found “clear evidence” that the country is getting “warmer and wetter” due to climate change.

The EU’s most powerful figure, Ursula von der Leyen, also said that green transport and energy shifts must be affordable for all citizens, and insisted the goal of the green transition was “precisely to cut bills for vulnerable households and small businesses” in countries like Ireland.