EPA: LESS helps Ireland meet 2023 ammonia reduction target
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has published its findings for that year, these pollutants can impact air quality, health, and the environment.
Ireland's ammonia emissions decreased by 4% in 2023 due to increased use of low emission slurry spreading (LESS) on farms and a reduction in nitrogen (N) fertiliser use.
This brings Ireland into compliance with the EU target for ammonia.
The ongoing move away from fossil fuel use in power generation and residential heating has been key in driving down emissions in three of the five key air pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, according to the EPA.
It added that looking forward to 2030, with full implementation of all government policies and measures, all five key air pollutants are projected to remain in compliance with EU targets.
Ammonia
Agriculture accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland and has previously been in non-compliance with EU targets, according to the EPA.
A decrease of 4% in ammonia emissions in 2023 was driven by an 18% reduction in N fertiliser use and increased use of LESS.
Commenting on the findings, director of the EPA's Office of Evidence and Assessment, Dr. Eimear Cotter said: 'The EPA assessment shows that Ireland is on track to meet its 2030 EU Emissions Reductions targets for all five major pollutants which has multiple benefits for air quality, human health and valuable ecosystems.
'It shows that implementation of policies and measures delivers results in terms of reducing air pollutants.
'In particular, there is a welcome reduction in ammonia emissions in 2023, reflecting the impact and benefits of the on-farm adoption of a range of good farming practices driven and supported by national policies.
'The use of low emission slurry spreading on farms avoided the release of 7,000t of ammonia to the atmosphere,' she added.
The EPA director explained that acceleration and widespread implementation of practices such as LESS, is needed to keep Ireland on the pathway to better air quality and ongoing compliance with EU 2030 targets.
Emissions
Ireland is in compliance with EU Emission Reduction targets for the other air pollutants with decreases recorded for these pollutants in 2023.
Sulphur dioxide decreased by 21%; fine particulate matter by 11%; nitrogen oxides by 7% and non-methane volatile organic compounds by 4%.
Less fossil fuel use in power generation and residential heating has been key in reducing these emissions.
Commenting on these findings, senior manager of EPA Emissions Statistics, Dr. Tomás Murray said: 'It is encouraging that our latest assessment projects compliance across all five key air pollutants in relation to EU 2030 targets assuming ongoing and full implementation of relevant government policies and measures.
'It is notable that the move away from fossil fuel use in power stations, businesses, and homes can deliver multiple benefits across our health, climate, and environment in the coming years.'
In line with new research, the EPA said it implemented an improvement to the beef and sheep methane models that increased the accuracy of nitrogen excretion estimates and resultant ammonia emissions.
This has led to an average of 0.7kt decrease in ammonia emissions per year across the time series in comparison to its previous report.
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