Agriculture emissions are greenhouse gases (GHG) released into the atmosphere during farming activities, including livestock rearing, crop production, and land use change. These emissions are primarily composed of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which have significantly higher global warming potentials than carbon dioxide (CO2).
The primary source of agricultural emissions in Ireland is methane from livestock. Livestock such as cows, sheep, and pigs produce methane through enteric fermentation, a digestive process that breaks down feed in their stomachs, leading to the production of methane gas. The use of nitrogen fertilizers and manure management is another significant source of agriculture ghg emissions in Ireland.
Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) is responsible for emissions as well as carbon sinks, related to land use change and forestry. It involves the emissions and removals (carbon sinks) relating to land use, land use change and forestry, including forest land, cropland, grassland, wetlands, settlements and other land types, as well as through the harvesting of wood products. Depending on the uses of land, land can either be an emitter of greenhouse gas emissions or it can sequester or absorb greenhouse gases.
Ireland has significant and healthy habitats, including grassland, hedgerows and forests, which can sequester or absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and the use and management of the land has a key role in the response to climate change.
At a national level agriculture and LULUCF (Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry) accounted for 44% of Ireland’s total GHG emissions in 2019 (29,033 ktCO2e). Agriculture accounted for 34% (22,134 ktCO2e) and LULUCF accounted for 11% (6,899 ktCO2e). What sets Ireland apart from its EU counterparts is the scale of our beef and dairy primary production industries relative to our population and land size, and the lack of heavy industry in Ireland’s economic make-up.
At a local level, emissions from agriculture in County Sligo have been calculated to be 429 ktCO2e, which equates to 46% of the total greenhouse gas emissions for Sligo. This is reflective of the cultural importance and vital role agriculture plays in underpinning our rural economy relative to other industries.
The primary source of emissions is methane from livestock, which accounts for about 60% of the total agriculture emissions within the county, with the use of nitrogen fertilizers and manure management being other significant sources. Emissions from farm vehicles and machinery accounts for 4%of the total emissions from this sector.
At a national level the LULUCF sector accounted for 3,073 ktCO2 equivalent removed and 9,979 ktCO2 equivalent emitted in 2019, equating to net emissions for LULUCF of 6,906 kt CO2e (20% of national emissions).
For County Sligo the emissions from LULUCF has been calculated to be 119 ktCO2e, which equates to 13% of the total greenhouse gas emissions for county. Cropland, forestland and harvested Wood Product serve as a store of carbon and were responsible for the sequestration of 140ktCO2e of emissions, whilst the areas grassland, settlements, wetlands and other land types were responsible for emitting 260ktCO2e.
The National Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out an ambitious target of 25% reduction in agriculture GHG emissions by 2030. Sectoral targets for LULUCF GHG emission reduction are yet to be confirmed and will coincide with the completion of a land-use Review.
The agriculture sector is undergoing a significant transformation to deliver the reduction in GHG emissions and key measures identified in the National Climate Action Plan 2023 to meet our targets include:
Sligo is a rural county where our farmers are recognised for their excellent food production and their economic and social importance in our communities. Climate change is already impacting farming practices and reducing GHG emissions will be challenging but achievable. Many farmers across the county have already commenced the journey of reducing emissions from farming and land use activities and are engaging positively with new guidance on farmer practices and environmental programmes.
While Sligo County Council does not have a direct influence over agriculture we are already engaged with farmers and landowners through other environmental programmes and community and business supports.
We are looking for your input into how we can further support the transformation of farming and land use in the county and to help us shape appropriate actions in our Local Authority Climate Action Plan.