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Project Code [2016-CCRP-DS.11]

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Project title

Review national emission factors for methane emissions from livestock

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Teagasc

Lead Applicant

Laurence Shalloo

Project Abstract

Irish Agriculture is typically responsible for 30% of our national greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalents. Methane from the digestion of feed by ruminants and manure storage are responsible for 61-65% of Irish agriculture�s greenhouse gas emissions. The livestock methane emission factors of the Irish national greenhouse gas inventory were updated in 2006 by O�Mara, but since then there has been majors to Irish Agriculture, e.g., the abolition of the EU milk quota system in 2015. We propose to review the data, structure, parameters and calculations of the livestock and manure methane sections of the national greenhouse gas inventory and identify areas that may need revision. We will review how changes in Irish Agriculture may have affected the accuracy of methane estimates. We will assess whole-farm and life cycle assessment greenhouse gas models developed by Teagasc and Bord Bia for ruminant farms and international models. The feasibility of adopting the structure and data sources of whole farm models in the national inventory will be assessed. In addition, we will assess the capacity of the current inventory to capture the mitigation potential of reduction measures identified for methane from livestock and manure.

Grant Approved

�90,000.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options

Start Date

09/01/2017

Initial Projected Completion Date

08/01/2018