22 October 2024
Agriculture emissions down in quarter one
Emissions from agriculture for the first quarter of 2024 were down by 2.6% when compared to the first quarter in 2023, the Quarterly Greenhouse Gas Emissions Indicator Report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today, October 22, has shown.
To support more frequent monitoring of national and sectoral progress on climate action, the EPA has launched a new series of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland and contained within are some interesting figures pertaining to the agricultural sector.
According to the EPA, the 2.6% or 208.4 kt CO2eq reduction from the agricultural sector in quarter one 2024 versus quarter one 2023 was driven by reduced limestone sales, occurring due to adverse weather conditions affecting farmers’ ability to spread, and a decline in methane emissions associated with reduced milk output.
Quarter one 2024 versus quarter one 2023 – key points from the EPA report:
- Agriculture greenhouse gas emissions decreased by -2.6% (-128.5 kt CO2 eq) compared to a year ago (2023 Q1).
- The largest sub-sectoral decreases in emissions were observed in liming with a change of -56.6% (-75.7 kt CO2 eq) and CH4 production from enteric fermentation of ruminant livestock (-2.6%, -84.3 kt CO2 eq) due to reduced milk output compared to quarter one 2023.
- Total cattle numbers increased by 4.5%, however dairy cattle decreased by 0.7%.
- There were increases in emissions attributed to agricultural soils (+42.4 kt CO2 eq) and urea application (+6.1 kt CO2 eq) due to increased sales of fertilisers and urea-based products during the quarter. However, due to the adverse weather and ground conditions some stockpiling may have occurred during this quarter.
Quarter on quarter change
The EPA’s Quarterly Greenhouse Gas Emissions Indicator Report also examined the changes in emissions from agriculture between quarter one 2024 and quarter four 2023, highlighting that emissions reductions of 2.4% or 119.4 kt CO2 eq were realised between these two periods.
Again, similar to the above, the most significant driver for the -2.4% decrease in emissions witnessed between quarter one 2024 and quarter four 2023 were significantly reduced (-52.2%) limestone application to agricultural land due to adverse weather conditions and overall reductions across all but two sub-sectors (agriculture/forestry fuel combustion and urea application) of agricultural activity on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Quarter one 2024 versus quarter four 2023 – key points from the EPA report:
- Agriculture greenhouse gas emissions decreased by -2.4% (-119.4 kt CO2 eq) compared to the previous quarter (2023 Q4) on a seasonally adjusted basis.
- There were decreases in emissions across five of the seven sub-sectors in agriculture.
- The largest sectoral decreases in emissions were observed in CO2 emissions from liming with a seasonally adjusted change of -52.2% (-63.1 kt CO2 eq) and N2O emissions from agricultural soils (-3.4%, -30.3 kt CO2 eq).
The importance of lime
Despite reductions in lime applications accounting for the largest declines in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in quarter one 2024 – when compared to quarter one 2023 and quarter four 2023 – lime applications play a very important role in agriculture’s journey in meeting greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets.
As presented in the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for 2023, lime, through its ability to correct soil pH when used as a soil conditioner, is a key technology and it brings benefits in terms of crop production, soil nutrient availability, and fertiliser efficiency – all key steps in ensuring agriculture can reduce its chemical fertiliser input and thus achieve further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the future.
For further details on liming targets and its relationship to greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, access the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for 2023 here.
Overall reductions and other sectors
Across industries, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were down 2.2% (306 kt CO2eq) in quarter one 2024 compared quarter one 2023, the EPA’s report has shown.
The largest sectoral decrease in emissions was observed in electricity generation with a reduction of 16.7% (-312 kt CO2 eq). Emission reductions were also observed in the agricultural (outlined above) and industrial (-4.7%, -69 kt CO2 eq) sectors.
Welcoming the report Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the Office of Evidence and Assessment, EPA said: “These quarterly greenhouse gas emissions respond to an on-going need for more timely and frequent data on Ireland’s greenhouse gases. Ireland joins a small number of countries worldwide to carry out this type of assessment, which will provide valuable early and frequent indicator data for the monitoring and governance of Ireland’s climate action. The series will complement the national greenhouse gas inventory and projections prepared annually by the EPA.
Commenting on the findings, she added: “The reduction of 2.2% in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in the first quarter of 2024, when compared with the same period last year, is welcome following the largest annual reduction in emissions outside of recession reported in 2023. This shows that we can make progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions when concerted action is taken.”
An increase in greenhouse gas emissions for transport (+2.7%), commercial (+4.1%) and residential buildings (+6.1%) in quarter one 2024 shows the clear link between increased energy demand, largely delivered by fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Also speaking about the results, Mary Frances Rochford, Programme Manager of EPA’s Climate Programme said: “These findings signal the continued impact of climate action and decarbonisation measures across Ireland’s economy and society. The assessment on a quarterly basis also highlights the impact of market prices and weather conditions.
“We see reduced emissions from the electricity sector linked to increased renewables and interconnection, increases in emissions from heating associated with lower fuel price and cooler temperatures than quarter 1 2023. Poor weather conditions also impacted lime application to soils which led to lower emissions from the agriculture sector.”