Effective Climate Action Must be Fair and Practical

Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment & Energy on the key barriers that may prevent Ireland from meeting its 2026 – 2030 climate change targets, IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair John Murphy said farmers are ready to be part of the solution, but the transition must be fair and practical.

John Murphy said farmers understand the urgency of climate action and are determined to play their part in meeting our national emissions reduction targets.

“On their own farms, they are witnessing the realities of a changing climate, such as longer periods of heavy rainfall, and more frequent and severe storms such as Storm Eowyn.”

“Farmers are ready to be part of the solution, but the transition must be fair and practical. Climate policy must reflect Ireland’s unique grass-based, land extensive farming system, protect farmers’ livelihoods, maintain competitiveness, and avoid unnecessary administrative burdens.”

“Only then can farmers fully engage with and make the necessary on farm changes to meet climate targets,” he said.

“For sectors like agriculture, where emissions are deeply embedded in economic viability; land use; and national identity; the challenge is not simply to reduce emissions at any cost,” John Murphy said.

The IFA Environment and Rural Affairs Chair also pointed out that the approach we take on further reducing emissions beyond 2030 is also absolutely critical.

“Both the Climate Act and the current Programme for Government acknowledge the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane. It is imperative that any emissions targets beyond 2030 take full account of this,” he concluded.

Read IFA’s submission in full here.