This week, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) launched its environmental performance review for Ireland. Unsurprisingly, agriculture and its contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, impact on water quality and biodiversity was identified. But unlike in the national debate – which has focused almost solely on agriculture as the root cause of the country’s environmental challenges – the OECD report has a much wider lens.

The lack of progress in dealing with GHG emissions in other sectors is called out, identifying that in 2019, electric and plug-in hybrid cars accounted for less than 1% of the total stock of passenger cars in Ireland. It is a far cry from the Government’s target to achieve one million EV cars by 2030 – equivalent to 35% of all passenger cars.

The political strategy of trying to sugar-coat the message on water charges to urban voters makes agriculture an easy target

The introduction of “road use” taxes, charges on workplace parking, increased charges on household waste, increased carbon tax and higher motor vehicle tax are just some of the consumer-facing recommendations made within the report in order to accelerate progress.

In addressing water quality, the report identifies Ireland as a “standout” in the OECD in not having implemented water charges. The associated failure to properly invest in water infrastructure is identified as having a major impact on water quality, both through water loss and the treatment of waste water. Water losses of about 45% have resulted in high and increasing water abstraction for public water supply.

An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. \ Philip Doyle

Meanwhile, 56% of sewage and waste water from large urban areas is being processed through treatment plants that do not conform to the quality requirements of the 2005 EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Some 1.5% of the population live in villages and towns that discharge sewage and waste water without treatment.

In light of the adverse impact on water quality and the need for major investment in water infrastructure, the report called for the reintroduction of water charges.

But within hours of its release, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan ruled out any notion that water charges would be reintroduced. Given the political fallout from their rollout in 2014, the response and the pace at which they moved to dismiss the recommendation is hardly surprising.

Nevertheless, it exposes the extent to which Government is not prepared to have an honest conversation with consumers and indeed voters on what increased environmental sustainability actually means for them.

Free from the political shackles, the OECD is very clear on what is required: an increase in existing and the introduction of new consumer-facing taxes – including water charges. But as evidenced this week in the world of politics, the reality is that, even for the Greens, when it boils down to it, urban votes are more important than water quality.

This political strategy of trying to sugar-coat the message to urban voters makes agriculture an easy target for increased and often flawed environmental regulations. As Colm McCarthy reports, focusing on agriculture to tackle territorial emissions is highly flawed and creates the risk of carbon leakage. Replacing a diesel car in Ireland with an EV reduces territorial and global emissions. In contrast, reducing food production in Ireland, only for it to be produced in a region with a higher environmental footprint, increases global emissions. But it is a fact that is largely being ignored due to the political focus on achieving territorial targets with minimum impact to the urban voter base.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

Similarly, as Prof Gerry Boyle identifies, for the climate bill not to recognise the role of agriculture in the removal of carbon from the atmosphere is either a drafting oversight or another landmark failure by Government to properly position agriculture in the climate debate. The original bill included a total of 26.8mt of CO2 equivalent removals with the potential to increase this further through hedgerows and grassland. The IFA is seeking urgent clarity and confirmation that removal will be ring-fenced in the agriculture sector.

With sectoral carbon budgets for the next decade to be set in the months ahead, there is a need to quickly reposition agriculture in the debate. It should start by bringing consumers into the discussion – demonstrating to them how the demands being placed on agriculture will see them having to pay higher food prices. A more sustainable agriculture model is achievable but not at a price point that allows just 12% of household income to be spent on food.

Also, there is a need to spread the economic fallout beyond the farm gate. The impact on jobs in rural towns and villages must be brought into focus. In the same way urban Ireland found its voice in 2014 on water charges, rural Ireland – where many already incur the costs of water charges – must now find its voice. A voice that ensures a Government led by five urban-based politicians does not shape sectoral carbon budgets with an eye on the next election and the urban voter base.