Currently, grassland peat soils are assumed to contribute up to 9m tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
A new study has indicated that the area of drained grassland peat soils could be “grossly overestimated” in Ireland.
The land-use sector in Ireland is estimated in the national greenhouse gas inventory to be a major source of emissions that are projected to rise to 11.1m tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year by 2030.
Currently, grassland peat soils are assumed to contribute up to 9m tonnes of CO2 equivalent of this total, due to the assumption that all 335,000 hectares are drained.
‘Highly Uncertain’
According to a new Teagasc study, this estimate is “highly uncertain and relies upon a number of assumptions regarding the drainage status, land classification, areal extent, nutrient status, and the emission factors for agricultural peat soils”.
These assumptions are being tested by ongoing research in the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory and other research in the Teagasc Climate Centre to improve the emissions estimates and identify what farmers can do to reduce these emissions.
Results from the study published in the Journal of Environmental Management recently establishes a range of likely scenarios with regard to actual drainage status of peat soils, which estimate emissions in the range of 3.6m – 4.7m tonnes of CO2 equivalent, a saving of up to 60% on current inventory estimates.
These values correspond to a drained area in the range of 90,000 to 120,000 hectares.
The study focuses on the drainage status of agricultural peat soils and combines historical and recent data to offer new insights into the practices of peatland drainage, historical drainage efforts, and likely efficacy at national scale.
Further Investigation
Teagasc’s Dr Pat Tuohy explained that while large areas of peatland have been transformed from their natural state to grassland agriculture, “there is no evidence to support that effective drainage ever occurred on as much land as previously assumed”.
“The drainage status of all grassland peat soils requires further investigation,” he said.
Professor Owen Fenton added that this study has proposed these potential emissions savings “by compiling decades of evidence related to drainage status of peat soils”.
“We uncovered data in national scientific literature and reports, which enabled a more accurate national figure for drainage status to be proposed,” he said.
LULUCF Emissions
The application of these findings could impact significantly on the estimated emissions from grassland peat soils and more broadly on the land use, land use change and forestry sector (LULUCF), and this paper could support policy relating to these soils and their management, Teagasc has said.
By accurately quantifying the impact of drainage status on these soils, Ireland can adopt targeted strategies to mitigate CO2 emissions and make informed policy decisions that contribute to a greener future.
While this work offers the potential for positive changes in terms of LULUCF emissions, the refinement of other aspects, yet to be quantified, may result in increased emissions.
The LULUCF sector is a separate sector in the national inventory to the agriculture sector.
A 25% reduction target by 2030 has been set for the agriculture sector, but work is still ongoing to agree a target for the LULUCF sector.
(Source – Irish Examiner – Farming – Kathleen O Sullivan – 26/06/2023)
EU Auditors – Ireland Bought ‘Credits’ To Meet Climate Target
Ireland had to buy “credits” to ensure it met its climate and energy targets in 2020, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA).
The ECA report published today (Monday, June 26) found that, overall, the EU had achieved its climate and energy targets.
However, the auditors said the EU Commission has not assessed the extent to which this progress was a result of policies rather than external factors, such as the financial crisis in 2009 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result, they said the commission has “only a partial overview of the actions that proved successful for achieving the 2020 targets”.
The report found that the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction compared well to those of other industrialised countries.
The auditors noted that the EU’s 2020 GHG emissions does not include emissions from international aviation and shipping and emissions from carbon leakage as a result of trade.
“The targets for 2030 are more ambitious than those for 2020, and we found little indication so far that this ambition will translate into sufficient action,” the report said.
Auditors
The report noted that three EU member states: Ireland, Germany and Malta did not reach their 2020 GHG target on their own.
Between 2013-2020, the countries bought a total of 17 million tonnes of GHG emissions allocations from other member states that over-achieved their targets.
Ireland also used international credits for a total of 8.2 million tonnes of emissions.
Ireland was among six member states that did not reach their renewable energy share target solely based on their own climate action.
Along with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia, Ireland again bought shares from other member stated that over-achieved their targets.
Plans
As part of the audit, the ECA interviewed
authorities from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland and
Sweden.
Member states were required to submit National Energy and Climate Plans for the 2021-2030 period. In these plans, they outlined policies aimed at achieving these targets.
The auditors found that the Ireland had “no data on the cost and effects of its policies put in place to reach the 2020 targets”.
They said that Ireland’s national energy and climate plan does not assess the overall investment needs, which could be fulfilled by funding from the public or private sector.
The plan stresses the need to mobilise private investment, but no indication is provided on the scale of the investment needed.
“It is clear that EU funding such as the Connecting Europe Facility will remain an important source of funding for Ireland.
“Some details are provided on specific programmes, funds or projects and their budgets, but this is done in a rather ad hoc manner and it does not cover all policies, measures or ambitions,” the report said.
Funding
The EU committed to spending at least one fifth of its 2014-2020 EU budget on climate action.
For the 2021-2027 EU budget, this figure has increased to 30% or around €87 billion per year.
The auditors said this amount is less than 10% of the total investment needed to reach the EU’s 2030 targets, estimated to be around €1 trillion/year.
The ECA recommended that the EU Commission provide more transparency on the performance of the EU and its member states on climate and energy action.
It said the commission should account for all GHG emissions caused by the EU, including those from shipping and aviation.
Finally, the auditors called on the commission to support member states’ commitment to achieving 2030 targets.
(Source – Agriland – Aisling O Brien – 26/06/2023)