Minister clarifies forest carbon ownership

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has clarified his Department’s position on the ownership of carbon in Irish forests to the Irish Farmers Journal.

“I want to be clear that the State is not trading or seeking to trade the carbon sequestered in farmers’ forests.

“We are, however, obliged to report and account for all greenhouse gases here under our international obligations and this includes sequestration and emissions from forestry,” he said.

“This does not imply ownership but simply reflects the requirement for those reductions and emissions to be included in the State’s climate inventory.”

Geraldine O’Sullivan, IFA farm forestry executive, said the IFA welcomes the minister’s clarification.

Voluntary carbon offset schemes allow farmers to earn carbon credits

“The potential of carbon farming is an option to incentivise farmers to contribute to climate mitigation and deliver on Ireland’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Voluntary carbon offset schemes allow farmers to earn carbon credits by storing carbon or reducing greenhouse gas emissions on their forest land.”

Minister McConalogue highlights “carbon farming as an option in the EU Green Deal”.

He says the European Commission is examining ways of encouraging activities that remove carbon across sectors, including involvement by the voluntary carbon trading sector.

“Ultimately, we want to put farmers at the very centre of this strategy,” he said. “We will work with stakeholders and will explore options for the development of such tools, which encourage the removal of carbon in line with developments at EU level as outlined in the EU Green Deal with particular reference to farm carbon.”

To maximise this source of income, especially among farmers, will require a geographically balanced 8,000ha afforestation programme

“Minister McConalogue’s commitment to look at reducing emissions and develop a potential alternative source of income for landowners and foresters is a positive development,” said Pat O’Sullivan, technical director of the Society of Irish Foresters.

“To maximise this source of income, especially among farmers, will require a geographically balanced 8,000ha afforestation programme rather than the 2,400ha achieved.”