Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
848. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount of direct savings in megaton CO2 equivalent that will be achieved by 2030 through afforestation in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15908/22]
View answerThe forest sector has an important part to play in meeting the ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality. Afforestation is the process of establishing a forest on lands not previously forested. In 2021, 2,016 hectares of afforestation was achieved in Ireland. The breakdown of this is 41% broadleaf (829 ha) and 49% conifer (1,187 ha).
Ireland’s forests and harvested wood products play a significant role in climate change mitigation by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The Department has funded a number of large-scale research projects which have examined carbon stocks and stock changes in Irish forests.
Using the total conifer and broadleaf afforestation area for 2021, the Department has projected that these new forests will remove 0.15 Mt CO2 eq between 2021 and 2030. Although this rate of sequestration is low, it is important to remember that the rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. As these newly planted trees mature, their ability to sequester carbon dioxide increases. This is reflected in projections which show that from 2031 to 2050, the 2,016 ha will sequester a further 0.5 Mt CO2 eq.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. The Forestry Programme has a wide range of generous grants and annual premiums that makes forestry an excellent land use option which can complement existing farming enterprises. The Department and stakeholders are working together to deliver Project Woodland with a view to resolve the current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of forests in Ireland.
