Our commitment aligns with the understanding that environmental sustainability is closely linked to financial sustainability and long-term farm viability.
Investing in sustainable practices can help to reduce input costs, promote regulatory compliance, boost efficiency and build more resilient enterprises.
Sustainable farming
The legally binding targets set for Ireland mean the agricultural sector must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, with a broader commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (Government of Ireland, 2022).
Ireland's agriculture sector has demonstrated commendable progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, marking a significant achievement in the nation's climate action efforts.
In 2023, agricultural GHG emissions decreased by 4.9%. This was driven largely by an 18% reduction in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use, alongside a decrease in livestock numbers and improved manure management practices (Environmental Protection Agency, 2024).
This downward trend continued into 2024, with emissions falling by an additional 1.7%, despite a 10.6% increase in nitrogen fertiliser use. This highlights the sector's ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and efficiency improvements (EPA, 2025; Teagasc, 4 July 2025).
These reductions are part of a broader national trend. In 2023, Ireland's total GHG emissions decreased by 6.8% compared to 2022, the largest annual reduction in three decades (EPA, 2023).
The adoption of practices such as low emissions slurry spreading (LESS), the use of protected urea and precision agriculture techniques have been instrumental in achieving these reductions. Additionally, the incorporation of clover into pastures has reduced the need for synthetic fertilisers, further decreasing emissions.
While challenges remain, the agricultural sector's consistent progress underscores its pivotal role in Ireland's broader climate strategy. Continued investment in sustainable practices and technologies will be essential to meet future emissions reduction targets and ensure the resilience of the sector.
AIB’s dedicated agri team support
AIB’s dedicated agri adviser team members come from farming backgrounds and have a strong practical understanding of the sector. They are strategically based around the country and provide financial and technical analysis on individual farm cases as needed.
Business sustainability loan
Central to AIB’s support is AIB’s recently launched business sustainability loan, which aims to help support farmers and agribusinesses as they seek to invest in the environmental sustainability of their operations.
The loan covers six eligible investments, including:
Renewable energy (for example, solar panels, anaerobic digesters).Animal production efficiency (for example, farm technologies, animal feed systems, animal housing).Machinery (for example, low emissions slurry spreaders, non-combustible machinery).Pollution control (for example, organic manure storage, slatted tanks).Biodiversity improvements (for example, bog restoration, fencing off rivers or waterways, habitat conservation).Forestry (for example, afforestation, reforestation).Farmers can borrow from €2,000 up to €100,000 for a single loan purpose, with repayment terms of up to seven years and a variable interest rate of 4.95%.
To be eligible, applicants must show proof that they are members or part of one of the following schemes or programmes: Bord Bia Quality Assurance, Irish Grain Assurance, organic farmer, dairy co-operative / beef processor / grain merchant sustainability programme or Department of Agriculture environmental schemes. Applications can be made at local branches or over the phone.
A representative interest rate example for you:
A typical €50,000 five-year loan with a variable interest rate of 4.95% and 5.14% annual percentage rate (APR), where the APR does not vary during the term, would have monthly repayments of €944.14 and the total cost of credit (the total amount repayable less the amount of the loan) would be €6,648.40.
Driving change
AIB is committed to supporting change in the sector through innovation, collaboration and the facilitation of knowledge transfer and actively participate in numerous key industry initiatives.
In addition to offering a new lower-cost business loan to help farmers invest in sustainable practices, AIB is the exclusive financial partner in the Farm Zero C Project, which aims to create a climate-neutral, economically viable dairy farm.
AIB was one of the sponsors of this year’s Teagasc Moorepark open day 'Innovating for the future', which took place in July.
AIB is also a partner in the Teagasc Signpost Programme, which is a collaborative partnership of farmers, industry and State agencies, working together for climate action and AIB is one of the sponsors of the Teagasc Grass10 Programme, which aims to promote profitable and sustainable milk and meat production from grass on Irish farms.
Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Credit facilities are subject to repayment capacity and financial status and are not available to persons under 18 years of age. Security may be required.
Allied Irish Banks plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Government of Ireland (2022). Government announces sectoral emissions ceilings, setting Ireland on a pathway to turn the tide on climate change. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/press-releases/government-announces-sectoral-emissions-ceilings-setting-ireland-on-a-pathway-to-turn-the-tide-on-climate-change
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2024) Ireland’s Final Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2023. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/EPA-Final-GHG-Report-Final.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2025) Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2024. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-provisional-greenhouse-gas-emissions-1990-2024.php
Teagasc (2025) ‘Green Shoots of Progress: Farmers Contribute to Emissions Reductions’, Teagasc News, 4 July. Available at: https://teagasc.ie/news--events/news/green-shoots-of-progress-farmers-contribute-to-emissions-reductions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2023) Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2023. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/news-releases/news-releases-2024/irelands-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-2023-lowest-in-three-decades-.php
Our commitment aligns with the understanding that environmental sustainability is closely linked to financial sustainability and long-term farm viability.
Investing in sustainable practices can help to reduce input costs, promote regulatory compliance, boost efficiency and build more resilient enterprises.
Sustainable farming
The legally binding targets set for Ireland mean the agricultural sector must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, with a broader commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (Government of Ireland, 2022).
Ireland's agriculture sector has demonstrated commendable progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, marking a significant achievement in the nation's climate action efforts.
In 2023, agricultural GHG emissions decreased by 4.9%. This was driven largely by an 18% reduction in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use, alongside a decrease in livestock numbers and improved manure management practices (Environmental Protection Agency, 2024).
This downward trend continued into 2024, with emissions falling by an additional 1.7%, despite a 10.6% increase in nitrogen fertiliser use. This highlights the sector's ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and efficiency improvements (EPA, 2025; Teagasc, 4 July 2025).
These reductions are part of a broader national trend. In 2023, Ireland's total GHG emissions decreased by 6.8% compared to 2022, the largest annual reduction in three decades (EPA, 2023).
The adoption of practices such as low emissions slurry spreading (LESS), the use of protected urea and precision agriculture techniques have been instrumental in achieving these reductions. Additionally, the incorporation of clover into pastures has reduced the need for synthetic fertilisers, further decreasing emissions.
While challenges remain, the agricultural sector's consistent progress underscores its pivotal role in Ireland's broader climate strategy. Continued investment in sustainable practices and technologies will be essential to meet future emissions reduction targets and ensure the resilience of the sector.
AIB’s dedicated agri team support
AIB’s dedicated agri adviser team members come from farming backgrounds and have a strong practical understanding of the sector. They are strategically based around the country and provide financial and technical analysis on individual farm cases as needed.
Business sustainability loan
Central to AIB’s support is AIB’s recently launched business sustainability loan, which aims to help support farmers and agribusinesses as they seek to invest in the environmental sustainability of their operations.
The loan covers six eligible investments, including:
Renewable energy (for example, solar panels, anaerobic digesters).Animal production efficiency (for example, farm technologies, animal feed systems, animal housing).Machinery (for example, low emissions slurry spreaders, non-combustible machinery).Pollution control (for example, organic manure storage, slatted tanks).Biodiversity improvements (for example, bog restoration, fencing off rivers or waterways, habitat conservation).Forestry (for example, afforestation, reforestation).Farmers can borrow from €2,000 up to €100,000 for a single loan purpose, with repayment terms of up to seven years and a variable interest rate of 4.95%.
To be eligible, applicants must show proof that they are members or part of one of the following schemes or programmes: Bord Bia Quality Assurance, Irish Grain Assurance, organic farmer, dairy co-operative / beef processor / grain merchant sustainability programme or Department of Agriculture environmental schemes. Applications can be made at local branches or over the phone.
A representative interest rate example for you:
A typical €50,000 five-year loan with a variable interest rate of 4.95% and 5.14% annual percentage rate (APR), where the APR does not vary during the term, would have monthly repayments of €944.14 and the total cost of credit (the total amount repayable less the amount of the loan) would be €6,648.40.
Driving change
AIB is committed to supporting change in the sector through innovation, collaboration and the facilitation of knowledge transfer and actively participate in numerous key industry initiatives.
In addition to offering a new lower-cost business loan to help farmers invest in sustainable practices, AIB is the exclusive financial partner in the Farm Zero C Project, which aims to create a climate-neutral, economically viable dairy farm.
AIB was one of the sponsors of this year’s Teagasc Moorepark open day 'Innovating for the future', which took place in July.
AIB is also a partner in the Teagasc Signpost Programme, which is a collaborative partnership of farmers, industry and State agencies, working together for climate action and AIB is one of the sponsors of the Teagasc Grass10 Programme, which aims to promote profitable and sustainable milk and meat production from grass on Irish farms.
Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Credit facilities are subject to repayment capacity and financial status and are not available to persons under 18 years of age. Security may be required.
Allied Irish Banks plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Government of Ireland (2022). Government announces sectoral emissions ceilings, setting Ireland on a pathway to turn the tide on climate change. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/press-releases/government-announces-sectoral-emissions-ceilings-setting-ireland-on-a-pathway-to-turn-the-tide-on-climate-change
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2024) Ireland’s Final Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2023. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/EPA-Final-GHG-Report-Final.pdf
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2025) Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2024. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/climate-change/air-emissions/irelands-provisional-greenhouse-gas-emissions-1990-2024.php
Teagasc (2025) ‘Green Shoots of Progress: Farmers Contribute to Emissions Reductions’, Teagasc News, 4 July. Available at: https://teagasc.ie/news--events/news/green-shoots-of-progress-farmers-contribute-to-emissions-reductions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2023) Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990–2023. Johnstown Castle, Wexford: Environmental Protection Agency. Available at: https://www.epa.ie/news-releases/news-releases-2024/irelands-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-2023-lowest-in-three-decades-.php
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