Forestry vital to climate deal
Tuesday December 15 2009
THERE is no 'plan B' for reducing carbon emissions from agriculture if a global agreement to limit climate change does not include forestry.
Environment Minister John Gormley has admitted that science has yet to come up with solutions on how to reduce carbon dioxide from the sector, which is responsible for 27pc of all of Ireland's emissions.
New figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that agriculture emissions are falling, but unless forestry is included in a global deal to curb the worst effects of climate change the falls going forward may only be marginal.
The EPA says some 172,400t (a 0.9pc fall) of carbon was produced from agriculture in 2008, continuing the downward trend from the 1998 peak.
The decline in emissions reflects lower sheep and cattle numbers and less fertiliser use.
But Minister Gormley, who is in Copenhagen at a UN summit aimed at securing a global deal to reduce emissions, said that science would have to look at how to limit the amount of agriculturally produced methane.
"Agriculture is responsible for about 28pc of our emissions," he said. "When it comes to agriculture, science will have to look at ways of limiting methane, which is a very powerful greenhouse gas. I'm confident, because of the necessity to do this, [that] we will come up with solutions."
Agriculture is recognised as a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, making up 14pc of the world's emissions according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation.
However, by planting forest at home and abroad, some of the carbon generated could be absorbed, which means that food production would not be adversely impacted.
But if forestry is not allowed, it could mean that half the national herd would have to be culled, which would devastate rural communities.
Assuming a deal is reached in Denmark, agriculture will have to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20pc by 2020.
"Politically it has been put on the table that agriculture and food production will have to be treated differently," said ICOS's Ray Doyle.
"Methane and carbon dioxide from farming can only be cut by cutting food production, which will impact on people. If we get a 20pc cut in emissions [from Copenhagen], the only way to achieve it is to cut the herd. That would be devastating for Ireland. It's not as simple as cutting 20pc of the 7.5m cattle.
"If forestry is not accepted, we're in deep trouble. If you allow forestry, you don't reduce emissions you just offset. Reductions in agriculture will have to be done quickly but we don't know how we're going to do it."
Around 85pc of a litre of milk's 'embedded' carbon is attributed to the farm, while 10pc is accounted for in processing and 5pc in transport.
Most of Ireland's beef is killed within two years. But if beef was slaughtered within a year, emissions could be cut by 50pc.
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent
