Carbon Cycling, Measurement, Accounting and Policy, what it means for Irish farming

In 2022 the Irish Government finalised the Climate Action Plan which set a target of a 25% reduction in Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030. This target is focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, however at the same time the need for carbon removals from the atmosphere is required to contribute to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This Agricultural Science Association event will outline the latest policy, research and reporting context relating to soil based carbon emissions, sequestration and storage, including an enhanced understanding of current contributions of Irish grasslands in the carbon cycle, the role of rewetting of drained peat soils and the latest research to determine future pathways for Irish Agriculture.

You will hear from leaders in the research, inventory and policy fields and have an opportunity to have your questions answered in the morning session and then in the afternoon we will move outdoors and view the latest research activity at Teagasc Johnstown Castle.

*Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the outdoor session.

Registration:

Registration is free to ASA members. There is a €25 fee to non members.

Agenda:

10:00am : Registration, tea and coffee

10:25 am : Introduction and welcome. Prof. Tommy Boland, ASA President and Dr. Bridget Lynch, Environment, Soils and Land Use Department, Teagasc

10.30am Philip Blackwell, DAFM: ‘The policy landscape for Carbon in Ireland’

11.00am: Bernard Hyde, EPA: National LULUCF Inventory and Overview’

11.30am: Prof. Gary Lanigan, Teagasc: ‘Overview of current C research

12.00pm: Panel discussion moderated by Dr. Siobhan Walsh, Irish Farmers Journal

12.30pm-1.30pm: Lunch

1.30pm - 3.30.pm Outdoor session: Field visit of experimental sites.

• Prof Owen Fenton and Dr. Pat Tuohy - Agriculture on peatland soils and water table management
• Dr. Macdara O’Neill and Dr. Conor Bracken - the National Soil Carbon Observatory and the long term Flux data at the Johnstown Castle dairy.
• Dr. Bridget Lynch  - Multispecies swards at Johnstown Castle dairy

Attendees will get an update on agriculture on peatland soils and the research that is underway in the area of water table management. In addition researchers from the National Soil Carbon Observatory and Agricultural Catchments Programme will give an update on the Eddy Covariance Flux Tower Network.