Agriculture emissions are set to increase by up to 4% by 2020 and up to 7% by 2030, according to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA has pointed to the expanding dairy herd as a particular contributing factor to agriculture emissions.

Ireland’s target for 2020 had been to reduce emissions by 20% but the EPA predict that at best, the reduction will be around 1%.

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The results have heralded a fresh wave of calls from the IFA for a climate activation programme that would see an increased level of focus and funding targeted at a number of methods.

Climate programme

“The EPA’s figures published today represent a real call to action. While emissions from agriculture are expected to increase by 3-4% between now and 2020, transport will go up by 17-18%,” IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney said.

The IFA’s proposals include:

  • A biomass development programme would eliminate peat and coal burning, which is responsible for 64% of greenhouse gasses from the electricity sector.
  • The re-opening of the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme.
  • A zero-carbon electricity tariff for community based renewable projects.
  • The scaling up of on-farm emission reduction programmes identified in the National Mitigation Plan, such as Smart Farming, Origin Green and the Carbon Navigator.
  • A full review by the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Services division of the new forestry programme and a commitment to remove barriers, as planting is down 14% year on year.

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