Environment Ireland 2013

Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dr Eimear CotterSenior ManagerEnvironmental Protection Agency8 April 2014

1AgendaIntroduction

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Ireland

EPA Climate Change VisionWorking with others for a Better Environment

3EPA Strategic Priorities

Evidence based Decision MakingPrepare national greenhouse gas emission inventories and projections for EU and UN legislation

4EPA Strategic Priorities

Research ProgrammeCommission Climate Change Research5Irelands Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry16 Mtonnes of CO28Key Goal : To ensure that positive carbon sequestration practices are recognised, promoted and sustained

EPA Climate Change VisionAn integrated framework encompassing agriculture and land use sectors

Current issues11Holistic approach to agriculture and land sectorEPA funded research related to Agriculture and Land useOn-going researchClimate Change Research2.4m

Water and Soils10.5m including flagship Irish Soils Information System (3.6m)

Total 12.9m over a 5 year period

Cost of Greenhouse gas emissions reduction options (Teagasc,2012)

Detection of management types within grasslands (UCC, 2013)Next steps.Research needed to understand and optimise carbon sinks

Engage at international level to shape future accounting frameworks

Recognise that land use is one way to support achievement of climate change objectives

Other activities include sustainable food production..

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