Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
528. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research has been carried out in relation to carbon sequestration in marginal, mountain and bog land compared to forestry plantations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32309/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraScientific research has a central role to play in developing our understanding of the carbon sequestration potential of our natural land resources.
My Department and other research funding agencies such as the EPA have funded a number of projects related to the greenhouse gas balance of different land uses and how they are impacted by management practices.
Ongoing DAFM funded research includes the UCD led “Managing and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration in different landscape mosaics” and the Teagasc led “Irish Land Use Emission and Sequestration Support Tool”. Both projects will further add to the knowledge base regarding greenhouse dynamics in the land sector.
In relation to marginal, mountain and bog land the annual greenhouse gas balance of these areas will largely depend on the degree of grazing pressure, the type of vegetation, the level of drainage and the annual weather conditions. It is not possible to provide a simple comparison of different lands without taking a range of factors into account but in general forests are larger sinks than other land uses.
My Department has implemented a number of initiatives to ensure that appropriate lands are afforested including the setting of minimum productivity standards for lands, the publication of “Land types for Afforestation”, and the provision of related industry training courses. This is in addition to the range of regulations implemented in my Department in relation to environmentally sensitive sites.
My Department is also considering the recently published Teagasc Report “An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030” which recommends enhancing carbon sinks and reducing soil C losses as key strategies to reducing sectoral emissions. This will principally be achieved through increased afforestation, reducing losses on organic soils and enhancing pasture sequestration.
