Ireland is obliged to report and account for all greenhouse gases in Ireland under our international obligations and this includes sequestration and emissions from forestry. This does not imply ownership but simply reflects the requirement for those reductions and emissions to be included in the State’s climate inventory. There is no such similar mandatory accounting framework for farmers or other private individuals. Forest owners and organisations can pursue voluntary initiatives in the trading of carbon and other corporate social responsibility mechanisms.
In November 2022, the European Commission proposed a new regulation to develop a framework for certifying carbon removals, which aims to offer incentives to farmers to upscale carbon farming within the EU. This initiative may be adopted by Member States on a voluntary basis.
The European Commission has set up an Expert Group to provide technical advice on the preparation of certification methodologies for carbon removals. These methodologies will set out how land-owners will be rewarded for removing carbon through their management activities. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) are representing Ireland on this Expert Group. My Department is monitoring developments at an EU level and engaging with DECC to develop Ireland’s position on any amendments to the framework proposed.
