Latest news with #LULUCF
Agriland
28-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
EU is ‘closing in' on a 55% reduction in GHG emissions
The European Union (EU) is 'closing in collectively' on a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, according to a new report today (Wednesday, May 28) . The positive update from the EU comes as the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has starkly warned today that Ireland is 'not on track' to meet key emissions targets. The European Commission's assessment of various member states' National Energy and Climate Plans suggests that EU countries have 'substantially improved their plans ' following the commission's recommendations. According to the commission, if member states implement fully existing and planned national measures and EU policies the EU is 'currently on course' to reduce net GHG emissions by around 54% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. It has said that the next phase for member states is to 'focus on turning plans into action to ensure stability and predictability'. 'This involves directing public funds to effectively support transformative investments, encouraging private investment, and coordinating efforts at both regional and European levels. 'The commission will therefore continue to support member states' efforts in implementation and in addressing the remaining gaps,' it added. GHG The European Commission's assessment of various member states' National Energy and Climate Plans reiterates the EU's objection to be 'climate neutral by 2050'. It also outlines that the EU 'must become a hub of innovation, where tomorrow's technologies, services and clean products are developed, manufactured, and marketed' to achieve this. One key area highlighted in the assessment is in relation to GHG emissions and member states' approach to the land sector. 'There is still a gap of about 45-60 MtCO2eq – equivalent to about 100% to 140% of the target of additional removals – compared to the 2030 target under the Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation,' it states. The latest EPA GHG projections for the period 2024-2055 has detailed that emissions from LULUCF in Ireland are projected to increase between 39% to 95% over the period of 2018 to 2030. This is, according to the EPA, because Ireland's forestry is reaching harvesting age and changing 'from a carbon sink to a carbon source'. Land The EU also published an individual assessment of the 23 National Energy and Climate Plans that it has received to date and urged Belgium, Estonia, and Poland to submit their plans 'without delay'. In relation to Ireland, it highlights that the country has set out 'a large array of additional measures in the agricultural sector' in its plan. 'Key to delivering is the provision of low emission animal feeds and low emission fertilisers, many of which are still in early development. 'Moreover, incentives are needed for their uptake. The plan acknowledges the absence of more wide-ranging measures that could deliver substantial emission reductions, such as diversification into less carbon intensive agriculture and a reduction of the large number of (dairy) herds,' the commission stated. However, it also warned that there is 'a significant overlap between agriculture and the LULUCF sector as the vast majority of land is agricultural land'. 'The plan clearly acknowledges the need for both public (Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) , state aid) and private finance to achieve Ireland's LULUCF targets and details the financial commitment for individual measures,' the commission added.
Agriland
28-05-2025
- 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.
