Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in achieving emission reduction targets in line with the programme for Government whilst at the same time protecting economic progress in the agri-food business or other sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8973/21]
View answerThe programme for Government commits to an annual average 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 2030.
While Irish agriculture has a positive international reputation in terms of producing high quality, sustainable produce, emissions from the agri-food sector have continued to increase. The long-term challenge for the sector is to achieve carbon neutrality, while not compromising our capacity for sustainable food production. The Government is committed to finding the balance between environmental, climate and biodiversity needs, and supports for farmers.
The Climate Action Plan 2019 includes measures for the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to deliver in order to ensure we meet our existing EU targets. The next Climate Action Plan 2021 will further evolve the climate policy in the area, including in respect of the agri-food industry. We are working to identify actions to support increased carbon removals. Land-use offers significant potential to sequester additional carbon and may provide a new source of family farm income and rural economic benefit. As well as developing the next Climate Action Plan, we are evaluating the potential climate contributions from land use improvements, to set in train the development of a land land-use strategy
Finally, we recognise the interlinked role the agriculture and agri-food sectors have with the waste sector and are committed to supporting the agri-food sector to evolve Ireland’s capability as a leader in circular economies. We are investing in research in the agri-food sector to prioritise investment in climate and the bio-economy and will implement the National Policy Statement on the Bio-economy, providing the agri-food sector with new opportunities using biological resources in a sustainable and circular manner
With the correct policy choices in the agriculture sector, we can reward farmers for sequestering carbon, restoring biodiversity, improving water and air quality, producing clean energy, and developing schemes that support results-based outcomes.
