The farming sector will have carbon budgets applied to it for the next three decades under the Government’s Climate Action Bill published on Wednesday.

It is the first step in Ireland becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and will see all sectors of the economy receive five-year carbon budgets.

Each carbon budget will outline a ceiling for greenhouse gas emissions per sector, with targets in each budget recommended by the Climate Change Advisory Council.

The director of Teagasc, Gerry Boyle, will be a member of the council.

The Government will have regard to biogenic methane, methane from livestock, in the bill.