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Project title

Enteric methane emissions from pasture-based ruminant livestock; Country specific mitigation and emission factors

Primary Funding Agency

DAFM

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

There is increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile to meet legally binding climate change targets. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation are the largest source of GHG emissions from the agricultural sector. Accurate methods of estimating methane emissions are extremely important, as they allow for an accurate assessment of methane output and in turn GHG emissions at a national level while also allowing for investigation into anti-methanogenic strategies. At present, the methane output of ruminant livestock in Ireland is estimated within the framework of tier one and tier two methodologies under the guidance of the IPCC. This framework incorporates locally sourced animal numbers and activity data in combination with international default methane emission factors. Research suggests that country specific emission factors offer a more appropriate and accurate method of quantifying methane output within specific jurisdictions. To date, the development of country specific emission factors in Ireland has been hindered by data availability. RUMENVENTORY will conduct a series of targetted field based experiments across differing ruminant livestock categories, genetic merit groups, age profiles and production/management systems. The results from these experiments will be collated and combined with data from historic and ongoing experiments to generate the first large scale methane database for ruminant livestock in Ireland. This database will be used to generate country specific methane emission factors representative of the ruminant livestock sector in Ireland, enabling the agricultural industry to accurately quantify methane output from enteric fermentation, while also allowing for more proactive decisions to be made in relation to mitigation strategies. The results of the experiments within RUMENVENTORY will be used to inform the potential of breeding and management practises to mitigate methane while also ensuring such practises are captured within the national inventory.

Grant Approved

�2,115,457.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

1. Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options

Start Date

01/03/2024

Initial Projected Completion Date

28/02/2029