Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the statement that methane is a short-term gas that stays in the atmosphere for ten to 12 years and that, if the national herd is stable, then, in 2022, Ireland will sequester the methane that was produced in 2010 and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55058/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, which legislates for and underpins the carbon budget process, provides for the special economic and social role of our agriculture sector and also the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C increased our understanding of global carbon budgets, consistent with holding the temperature rise to 1.5°C (or 2°C). In modelled pathways to limit global warming to 1.5°C, global CO2 emissions must reach net-zero by around 2050 and non-CO2 emissions, such as methane and nitrous oxide, must show deep reductions.

The IPCC Special Report further elaborated on the distinguishing characteristics amongst different greenhouse gases (GHGs) which tells us that not all GHGs are the same, and their individual characteristics will have different Global Warming Potentials (GWP) and impacts on the atmosphere.

Methane is a potent gas, with a shorter lifespan than other GHGs. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report confirms that, although methane has a short lifespan in our atmosphere at 12.4 years, it has a GWP of 28, meaning that it is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a century, or 84 times more potent over two decades.

In relation to agricultural methane emissions, the scientific advice of the IPCC in their 2018 report, is that it is not necessary for biogenic methane emissions to reach net-zero to meet the Paris Agreement target, nor would this be an attainable goal.

Nevertheless is it clear that methane reductions must be made, and also it is important to note that other harmful pollutants are also produced through agricultural activities, including nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) which contribute to reduced water, air, and soil quality.