Agriculture

GHG emissions from agriculture 1990–2006
Courtesy of the EPA

The agricultural sector is the highest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, representing 29.1%   (18.13 Mt) of Ireland 's total emissions in 2009. However, this is a decrease of 1.5% on the 2008 figure, continuing the downward trend from 1998. The decline in emissions is mainly due to lower pig and sheep numbers as well as a reduction in gasoil use on farms.

The trend shows that the main driver of agricultural emissions is livestock, which produce approximately 10 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalents per annum. These include CH4 from enteric fermentation, and N2O from manure management. As Ireland 's livestock population is higher than other countries, it is not surprising that GHG emissions from agriculture account for a much higher portion of the total emissions than in most other countries.

Overall, the agricultural sector emissions decreased by 9.1% between 1990 and 2009. This is chiefly due to the fall in cattle population, as well as a reduction in the use of fertilisers