What can Irish agriculture do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Dairy

In order to address climate change, 197 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement, which seeks to keep global temperature rise this century below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The EU has also set emissions reduction targets, with Ireland allocated a 20% reduction in emissions to 2020 and 30% to 2030, compared to 2005.

Why are these climate targets a challenge to Irish agriculture?

Well, firstly, agriculture accounts for one-third of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Secondly, agricultural production, particularly dairy, is growing post quota removal, and Foodwise 2025 has set ambitious targets for further growth in primary production and exports.

In order to meet these twin goals, there is the need for a roadmap that examines the potential of cost-effective GHG mitigation. Over the next few months in farm focus we will take an in-depth look at some of the key areas where Irish agriculture can reduce its GHG emissions.

Although agricultural green-house gases (GHGs) are difficult to reduce, it is not impossible and can be done by improving efficiencies on farms.

  • Improving the technical efficiencies of farms can improve farm profitability and reduce GHG emissions. Therefore, this is a win-win scenario for both farmers and the environment.
  • In Ireland, 33% of the national GHG emissions come from agriculture.
  • Methane (CH4) – mainly from enteric fermentation by cattle and sheep – accounts for 64%, while nitrous oxide (N2O) from N fertiliser applications and animal N excretion accounts for 31%.
  • Efficiency measures such as: animal genetics; nitrogen (N) use efficiency; soil fertility; and grass production are the main drivers of improving farm profitability and reducing emissions across all livestock farming enterprises

 

 

  • The Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) is a graph that visualises the abatement potential of GHG mitigation measures, and the relative costs associated with each of these measures
  • The base line is the cost of carbon for Irish agriculture; anything above the line is associated with a cost to production, but reduces GHG emissions. Below the line is cost saving, therefore, improving profitability and reducing GHG emissions.
  • It visualises the magnitude of the abatement potential of each measure, as indicated by the width of the bar.
  • The MACC curve identifies the key areas where Irish agriculture can reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
  • The Marginal Abatement Cost Curve indicates that using high-ranking bulls to sire more efficient progeny – high economic breeding index (EBI) dairy bulls or high terminal and replacement index beef bulls – can significantly reduce GHG emissions
  • Greenhouse gas emissions can also be reduced by changing fertiliser type, carrying out low-emission slurry spreading and improving soil fertility.

 

First Published 13 August 2019

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