Cutting animal numbers to reduce methane will be challenging, climate advisory council admits

The CCAC carbon budget proposal highlights the difficulty Ireland faces in mitigating its substantial methane emissions. Picture: Denis Minihane

Addressing the country’s methane emissions will require cuts in animal numbers, which could be very challenging for Ireland, according to the climate advisory group tasked with proposing Ireland’s first ‘carbon budgets’.

The budgets allocate emissions ceilings to the likes of motorists, households, farmers, businesses, and industry over five years, with a view to lowering greenhouse gases. A 51% reduction is the 2030 target, as per the new Climate Bill.