{"id":165,"date":"2022-08-29T12:56:29","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T12:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/?p=165"},"modified":"2022-08-29T12:56:30","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T12:56:30","slug":"will-irish-agriculture-make-the-cut-government-plans-to-reduce-irish-agricultural-emissions-by-25-by-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/2022\/08\/29\/will-irish-agriculture-make-the-cut-government-plans-to-reduce-irish-agricultural-emissions-by-25-by-2030\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Irish Agriculture Make the Cut?- Government Plans to Reduce Irish Agricultural Emissions by 25% by 2030."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Irish government announced their sectoral emissions ceilings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this different sectors have different targets to reduce their GHG emissions to move towards a cleaner future (RTE, 2022). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minister Eamon Ryan states that it builds on the already existing climate law which was introduced in 2021 as well as backing up EU legislation while moving Ireland towards a future low carbon economy. Minister Ryan explains that if climate targets are not met that we could be left in a unsecure and unstable world which is no longer fit for living and that these sectoral cuts needs to be ambitious and bold in order to improve the quality of life as well as cut GHG emissions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&#39;We have to be ambitious, we have to be bold, we cannot delay&#39;<br><br>Minister Eamon Ryan has said it is a &#39;hugely significant and important day&#39; as the Government has reached agreement on carbon emission reductions for the agriculture sector | Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw\">https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/d3zvuKQmFN\">pic.twitter.com\/d3zvuKQmFN<\/a><\/p>&mdash; RT\u00c9 News (@rtenews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rtenews\/status\/1552708678419156993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Minister Eamon Ryan has said every county has been asked to come forward with a &#39;pathfinder project&#39; - a transport project that will decarbonise and also create a better local environment | Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw\">https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xgS8llR1FJ\">pic.twitter.com\/xgS8llR1FJ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; RT\u00c9 News (@rtenews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rtenews\/status\/1552714913080123392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Agriculture has a target reduction of 25% based on 2018 levels (Department of the Taoiseach, 2022). T\u00e1naiste Leo Varadkar said that&nbsp;<em>\u201cthe reduction in agricultural emissions has been the most contentious. It\u2019s a 25% reduction against a society-wide target of 51%. Farmers will play their part. They are up for the challenge and we will help them every step of the way. Sustainable, efficient, Irish food production is essential. In the future, the world will need more food not less\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said&nbsp;<em>\u201c<\/em><em>The world is facing a climate crisis, so such action is absolutely essential. It also recognises the special economic and social role of agriculture, and the importance of sustainable food production. I am satisfied that the agreement we have arrived at today strikes an appropriate balance in this regard.\u201d<\/em><em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He believes that this target is&nbsp;<em>\u201cchallenging but achievable\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;and that it is important for the&nbsp;<em>\u201cprotection and enhancement of our sustainable food production system while ensuring that agriculture plays its part in climate change mitigation\u201d<\/em>. He also says that  he will ensure farmers are supported every step of the way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Minister McConalogue outlined that in order to facilitate the target the ag-climatise roadmap will be updated in order to provide the sector with a clear roadmap. The minister also stated that he has already started looking at supports such as the CAP strategic plan to help achieve targets. He also mentioned support for areas such as low emissions equipment for farms and energy production in order to achieve the targets set out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said the decision to agree a 25% target for emissions reductions in the agriculture sector reflects a &#39;very challenging but ultimately achievable ambition for the sector&#39; | Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw\">https:\/\/t.co\/lSeM86elvw<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/gprvkOal3y\">pic.twitter.com\/gprvkOal3y<\/a><\/p>&mdash; RT\u00c9 News (@rtenews) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rtenews\/status\/1552710400302628867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption><strong>Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine Charlie McConalogue discussing the Governments Decision on Agricultures GHG Reductions.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, not all are happy with the governments decisions with agricultural organisations and farmers themselves expressing their opinions on the matter. IFA president Tim Cullinan stated that the new deal is <em>\"all about the survival of the Government rather than survival of rural Ireland\"<\/em>. Cullinan has also mentioned that the targets has been set without a pathway or budget in place for farmers to follow in order to reach the target.&nbsp;He highlighted the impact this decision will have on farmers across the country and stated that&nbsp;<em>\"any attempt to undermine farmers livelihoods or the viability of sector, in order to achieve these targets, will be opposed vigorously by the IFA\u201d<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) also highlighted their concerns with the government\u2019s decision saying that it is <em>\"very disappointing\"<\/em> and that it<em> \u201cundermine(s) the viability\u201d<\/em> of the family farm structure and believes that <em>\u201cthe level of achievability (is) gone out of these targets\"<\/em> and will <em>\u201ceffect the momentum of rural Ireland\"<\/em>. The ICMSA leader also discussed knock on effects of the decision for the consumer such as further increasing prices of animal-based products and warning of huge job losses within the rural community.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people such as People Before Profit\/ Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore has described the governments decision as a failure. Whitmore believes that the government <em>\"have chosen to ignore the independent advice and this deal has fallen far short of the target needed for us to meet our climate targets\"<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I questioned farmers around my local area about the plans most people agreed that without a plan in place that this will not be possible. One particular farmer said  <em>\"we are not scientists we are farmers, we have not studied this for years, we need guidance and financing to do this and to make it achievable\u201d.<\/em> Other farmers expressed their anger at the government decision as for years they feel like they have been pushed to expand however now they have been told the complete opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;The science says that it had to be 30% in order for us to meet our targets.&quot;<br><br>Can Ireland reach its 2030 climate targets with a reduction in agriculture emissions of 25%? <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RitaOReilly?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RitaOReilly<\/a> explains | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/rtept?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#rtept<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ClimateCrisis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ClimateCrisis<\/a> | Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AQ1xsoGBTO\">https:\/\/t.co\/AQ1xsoGBTO<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/dcutOXvQgP\">pic.twitter.com\/dcutOXvQgP<\/a><\/p>&mdash; RT\u00c9 Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RTE_PrimeTime\/status\/1552767424218406913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 28, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><figcaption><strong>Prime Time Report on Governments Decision<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are very opposing views of the governments decision in recent weeks and it is obvious that if the government want this cut to happen. However, support and finance must be provided by government in order to help farmers and get them on board with this vital environmental decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Bibliography<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DEPARTMENT OF THE TAOISEACH. 2022.&nbsp;<em>Government Announces Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, Setting Ireland on a Pathway to Turn the Tode on Climate Change.&nbsp;<\/em>[Online]. Gov.ie. Available:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/press-release\/dab6d-government-announces-sectoral-emissions-ceilings-setting-ireland-on-a-pathway-to-turn-the-tide-on-climate-change\/\">https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/press-release\/dab6d-government-announces-sectoral-emissions-ceilings-setting-ireland-on-a-pathway-to-turn-the-tide-on-climate-change\/<\/a>&nbsp;[Accessed 28\/08\/2022].<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RTE. 2022.&nbsp;<em>Got Reveals Emissions Cut Targets Across All Sectors&nbsp;<\/em>[Online]. RTE. Available:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/news\/ireland\/2022\/0728\/1312823-carbon-emissions-ireland\/\">https:\/\/www.rte.ie\/news\/ireland\/2022\/0728\/1312823-carbon-emissions-ireland\/<\/a>&nbsp;[Accessed 25\/08\/2022].<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Irish government announced their sectoral emissions ceilings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this different sectors have different targets to reduce their GHG emissions to move towards a cleaner future (RTE, 2022). Minister Eamon Ryan states that it builds on the already existing climate law which was introduced in 2021 as well as backing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/2022\/08\/29\/will-irish-agriculture-make-the-cut-government-plans-to-reduce-irish-agricultural-emissions-by-25-by-2030\/\" class=\"more-link\">...continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> \"Will Irish Agriculture Make the Cut?- Government Plans to Reduce Irish Agricultural Emissions by 25% by 2030.\"<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-165","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-uncategorized","7":"h-entry","8":"hentry","9":"h-as-article"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":230,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165\/revisions\/230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.plantagbiosciences.org\/people\/fiona-dunne\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}