Greenhouse emissions from agriculture rose by 1.9% or 0.38Mt CO2 equivalent last year, the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows.
Emissions also grew in the households and transport sectors.
The growing dairy cow herd was the biggest driver of the rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming, with 2.7% more dairy cows in the country last year than 2017.
Dairy cow numbers have increased by 27% in the last five years, while greenhouse gas emissions increased by 8% over that time.
Full implementation of the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan are required
The EPA said that while agricultural production did gain some efficiency over this period, it will not be enough to reduce overall emissions.
It said that full implementation of the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan are required.
National picture
Ireland exceeded its annual emissions budget allocation for 2018 under the EU’s effort sharing decision by over 5m tonnes. This is on top of a 3m tonne exceedance in 2017.
Overall, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell marginally by 0.2% (0.14 Mt CO2 eq) in 2018.
This was as a result of significant reductions in the energy sector. However, these reductions were offset by higher emissions from households, transport, and agriculture.
Transport emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018.
The EPA said that swift implementation of the 2019 Climate Action Plan is needed to put Ireland on the right track to meet its commitments.
Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability Dr Eimear Cotter said: “It is time for businesses and communities to support and be supported in taking action to reduce emissions.
"Ireland must implement the ambitious commitments in the 2019 Climate Action Plan to play its role in averting the worst impacts of climate change.”
Other sectors
Household emissions increased by 7.9% (0.46 Mt CO2eq), reflecting a colder winter in 2018 and increased demand for home heating, mainly oil.Transport emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018 (0.20 Mt CO2eq), driven by the growing economy with more movement of people and goods. Energy industry emissions decreased by 11.7% (1.38 Mt CO2eq) in 2018, driven by less coal being used at Moneypoint and an increase in renewable energy such as wind. Growth links
Senior manager in the Office of Environmental Sustainability Stephen Treacy said using less carbon-intensive fuels such as coal in power generation can result in significant emissions reductions.
However, he added: “Emission increases in the transport and agriculture sectors in 2018 were largely driven by increased activity, highlighting that emissions in these sectors are still closely coupled with economic growth. Breaking this link requires urgent behavioural change across all sectors of Irish society.”
Read more
Development is about getting better, not bigger – Creed
Climate action plan sets 8,000ha annual planting target
Listen: big changes for fertiliser and slurry spreading
Climate plan will cater for 1.6m dairy cows
Climate jargon in plain English
Greenhouse emissions from agriculture rose by 1.9% or 0.38Mt CO2 equivalent last year, the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows.
Emissions also grew in the households and transport sectors.
The growing dairy cow herd was the biggest driver of the rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from farming, with 2.7% more dairy cows in the country last year than 2017.
Dairy cow numbers have increased by 27% in the last five years, while greenhouse gas emissions increased by 8% over that time.
Full implementation of the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan are required
The EPA said that while agricultural production did gain some efficiency over this period, it will not be enough to reduce overall emissions.
It said that full implementation of the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan are required.
National picture
Ireland exceeded its annual emissions budget allocation for 2018 under the EU’s effort sharing decision by over 5m tonnes. This is on top of a 3m tonne exceedance in 2017.
Overall, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell marginally by 0.2% (0.14 Mt CO2 eq) in 2018.
This was as a result of significant reductions in the energy sector. However, these reductions were offset by higher emissions from households, transport, and agriculture.
Transport emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018.
The EPA said that swift implementation of the 2019 Climate Action Plan is needed to put Ireland on the right track to meet its commitments.
Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability Dr Eimear Cotter said: “It is time for businesses and communities to support and be supported in taking action to reduce emissions.
"Ireland must implement the ambitious commitments in the 2019 Climate Action Plan to play its role in averting the worst impacts of climate change.”
Other sectors
Household emissions increased by 7.9% (0.46 Mt CO2eq), reflecting a colder winter in 2018 and increased demand for home heating, mainly oil.Transport emissions increased by 1.7% in 2018 (0.20 Mt CO2eq), driven by the growing economy with more movement of people and goods. Energy industry emissions decreased by 11.7% (1.38 Mt CO2eq) in 2018, driven by less coal being used at Moneypoint and an increase in renewable energy such as wind. Growth links
Senior manager in the Office of Environmental Sustainability Stephen Treacy said using less carbon-intensive fuels such as coal in power generation can result in significant emissions reductions.
However, he added: “Emission increases in the transport and agriculture sectors in 2018 were largely driven by increased activity, highlighting that emissions in these sectors are still closely coupled with economic growth. Breaking this link requires urgent behavioural change across all sectors of Irish society.”
Read more
Development is about getting better, not bigger – Creed
Climate action plan sets 8,000ha annual planting target
Listen: big changes for fertiliser and slurry spreading
Climate plan will cater for 1.6m dairy cows
Climate jargon in plain English
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