Latest news with #AgClimatise
Agriland
6 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Government ‘delusional' on emissions targets
The government is 'delusional' if it believes Ireland won't face billions of euro in EU fines for missing its 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. That's according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, following the latest publication today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It has stated that total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a 1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030″. According to the EPA, these projections are based on the level of adoption of measures contained in the Climate Action Plans, AgClimatise and the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). Social Democrats Deputy, Jennifer Whitmore, who is the party's spokesperson on climate, said: 'The latest analysis from the Environmental Protection Agency offers a bleak assessment of the government's efforts to meet our legally binding 51% emissions reduction target in five years' time. 'The report warns that even if every measure in the Climate Action Plan is fully implemented on time, the best we can hope for is a fall of 23% 'This is even lower than the 29% reduction projected by the EPA last year, showing that Ireland is going backwards when it comes to our climate responsibilities,' Whitmore added. 'Despite dire warnings from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change Advisory Council that Ireland could face EU fines of up to €26 billion for missing our targets, the government continues to be in denial, with the Taoiseach recently dismissing these fears as 'highly speculative'.' The Wicklow TD has claimed that the current approach by the government will cost Ireland, not just economically, but also in terms of the severe risks posed by more extreme weather events caused by global warming. 'According to the EPA report, we are making insufficient progress in areas such as onshore wind, offshore wind, electric vehicles and district heating,' Whitmore continued. 'In transport and agriculture, emissions are projected to remain well above the sectoral ceilings for 2030. And despite the growth in renewable energy, this is negated by our continued reliance on gas during times of peak demand.' Deputy Whitmore has also raised concerns abut 'logjams' in the planning system which she said could result in wind power companies pulling out of Ireland. 'Today's report represents a major setback for our climate ambitions. How many more wake-up calls does this government need before it takes this issue seriously?' Deputy Whitmore concluded.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
EPA: Agriculture ‘made some progress' in reducing GHG emissions
Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector 'will range from a 1% increase to a 16% decrease over the period of 2018 to 2030″ according to a new report published today (Wednesday, May 28) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the EPA these projections are based on the level of adoption of measures contained in the Climate Action Plans, AgClimatise and the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC). The decrease in GHG emissions would potentially come from a variety of measures including limits on nitrogen fertiliser usage, switching to different fertilisers and 'bovine feed additives'. Mary Frances Rochford, EPA programme manager, said: 'The agriculture sector has made some progress in reducing emissions through the successful rollout of actions on nitrogen fertilisers, low emission spreading technologies and national liming programmes. 'In parallel, in line with new research, the EPA refined the information underpinning the agricultural figures which has led to a reduction in the overall agriculture emission estimates'. According to the EPA programme manager, it is now 'imperative that this new research and information is incorporated into updated carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings to ensure that they reflect latest science, data and knowledge on greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland and alignment with the national reduction target for the sector of 25%.' But in the meantime, a direct comparison of the agricultural sector against its sectoral emission ceiling 'is no longer viable', the agency has detailed in the latest GHG Emissions Projects 2024-2055 report. EPA However while the EPA has underlined the 'progress' the agriculture sector has made in relation to reducing GHG emissions, it has also warned that emissions from the Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector are projected to increase by up to 95%. The agency has detailed that GHG emissions from the LULUCF sector are projected to increase 'between 39% to 95% over the period of 2018 to 2030' chiefly because forestry is reaching its 'harvesting age and changes from a carbon sink to a carbon source'. 'Planned policies and measures for the sector, such as increased afforestation, water table management on agricultural organic soils and peatland rehabilitation are projected to reduce the extent of the emissions increase,' the EPA outlined. It has indicated that, even with current planned measures, it 'is unlikely' that Ireland will meet this sector's European commitments. Overall, according to the EPA, Ireland is projected to achieve a reduction of up to 23% in total GHG emissions by 2030, compared to a national target of 51%. Laura Burke, director general of the EPA said: 'The EPA's projections show that full delivery of all climate action plans and policies could deliver a 23% reduction in GHG emissions. 'Although emissions trends are going in the right direction, the gaps to our European and national emission reduction targets are now projected to be larger than last year. 'This highlights the economy-wide effort needed to decarbonise our society and the focus must shift from policy aspiration to practical implementation.' The EPA's latest report also details that the first carbon budget and second carbon budget are projected to 'be exceeded' with almost all sectors on a trajectory to exceed their national sectoral emissions ceilings for 2030.
