Efficient farming = low-carbon farming: The link between profitability and environmental sustainability at farm level

Transcription

1 Efficient farming = low-carbon farming: The link between profitability and environmental sustainability at farm level Dr Rogier Schulte, Pat Murphy, Dr Thia Hennessy, Padraig Brennan Leader Translational Research on Sustainable Food Production

2 Food Security & Sustainability Global Soil Challenges Food Security 2050: Population 9bn Dietary shift Food demand up 100% by 2050? Land grabbing? Sustainability: GHG emissions / C-sequestration Water footprint / sustainability Biodiversity

3 Irish as a microcosm Agricultural policy framework Food Harvest 2020 Environmental policies GHG policy framework Nitrates WFD National Biodiversity Plan Cross Compliance + Greening Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives New Land Use Directive proposed Etc, etc

4 This presentation How can we increase food production and reduce greenhouse gases from farming?

5 The Irish Paradox Q: Which statement is true? In Ireland, agriculture accounts for a much larger share of emissions than in other countries. Irish agriculture has one of the lowest carbon-footprints, internationally. ANSWER: both statements are true - Little heavy industry - Small population compared to national herd - Agriculture = important to economy - Predominantly ruminant farming = Reflection of soils & climate

6 The Irish Paradox TRUE OR FALSE? 1. Agriculture accounts for a much larger share of Irish emissions (31%) than in other countries (9%). 2. Irish agriculture has one of the lowest carbon-footprints, internationally. Source:

7 Policies Global: 2 nd Kyoto-commitment period to No successor to Kyoto yet. Agriculture currently discussed under Advanced Durban Platform. To be agreed by EU: unilaterally committed to 20% reduction by 2020 (compared to 2005) or 30% if global agreement can be reached National: : proposed Climate Change Response Bill Headline figure: -20% for total non-ets sector (incl. Ag)

8 Policies 2011 Climate Policy submission: Reducing emissions by 20% is really, really difficult Irish agriculture = highly C-efficient Methane emissions: solutions are limited? Risk of Carbon-Leakage Source: Lanigan et al., Displacement of 50% of Irish beef production could increase global GHG emissions by 2 5 Mt CO 2 eq per annum

9 Policy outcomes New Government: Minister of Environment asks the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) for framework for new GHG policy NESC liaises with all sectors including agriculture: If Agriculture can t reduce emissions by 20-30%, what can be achieved? Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) for 2020

10 Teagasc GHG programme No room for complacency 2. Ranking of measures - Teagasc research programme on Greenhouse gases - 2.5m per annum, 6 Research Centres 1. Order of magnitude 3. Categorisation of measures Teagasc Working Group on GHG emissions Cost-effective - Brings together all expertise from research and advisory - Developing coherent approach towards better GHG efficiencies - Fed into SEAI (McKinsey) report and government strategy - Identifying measures that are cost-effective Cost-prohibitive Cost-neutral Double dividend Source: Motherway & Walker,

11 Approach Starting Point: Food Harvest 2020 GHG emissions projected to increase by 5-10% What are the options to reduce GHG emissions while meeting FH 2020? Abatement potential = -the total potential abatement -that can be realistically achieved -following full implementation -wherever biophysically possible

12 Results: LCA

13 Results: IPCC

14 Efficiency = low carbon = profit

15 Efficiency = low carbon = profit

16 Efficiency = low carbon = profit

17 Efficiency = low carbon = profit

18 So where do we go from here?

19 The Carbon Navigator How can we maximise the adoption of green measures?

20 The Carbon Navigator Principles: Practical language: Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, mitigation, emission coefficient, Grazing season length, nitrogen fertiliser rates, etc Carbon reduction = cost reduction Carbon Navigator specifies potential savings

21 The Carbon Navigator Principles (cont d): Each farm is unique which measures are most appropriate on my farm? Distance to target : how far have I progressed in reducing my emissions? Comparing like with like : benchmark my farm only against similar farms, on similar soils, in my region.

22 Distance to target Carbon - footprint Distance to target Biophysical minimum footprint

23

24 Teagasc GHG Working Group Follow the follow-up on 2011: now 2012: :