Northern Ireland Needs To Lose 1 Million Sheep and Cattle To Meet Legally-Binding Climate Targets

Northern Ireland faces a loss of more than 1 million cattle and sheep to meet climate emissions targets identified in the jurisdiction’s freshly passed climate act. But the problem is, what would the wet and hilly region produce instead for food?

The climate change legislation — which is also the first ever for Northern Ireland — commits the region to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as a separate reduction target of 46% for methane emissions. Methane from the burps and manure of cows and dairy cattle account for a third of human-caused methane emissions, causing this climate issue to be largely associated with the agricultural sector.

Industry representatives commissioned an analysis from KPMG, and they estimate that the region would need to lose over 500,000 cattle and about 700,000 sheep to meet the new emission targets.

UK Climate Change Committe chief executive Chris Stark told The Guardian that to produce the same amount of food per head in 2050, a switch to arable farming might be necessary. “But it’s very difficult to do this unless you see a change in farming practice, and especially unless you see a shift in arable farming versus livestock,” he said.

But this seems all too easier said than done as recent data from the Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs show that only 4.4% or 45,600 hectares of Northern Ireland farmlands is arable, which actually explains why most of the land is dominated by pastoral farming.

The industry is yet to receive word on how the new legislation will be enforced, but as environmentalist Patrick Moore points out, people might have to be removed, too!


Information for this briefing was found via The Guardian and the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Views expressed within are solely that of the author. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

Silver’s Finally Breaking the System | Keith Neumeyer – First Majestic

The Best News for Gold Was the Drop! – Peter Grandich

McEwen Copper: The Los Azules Feasibility Study

Recommended

Silver47 Completes Property-Wide Geochemical, Rock Sampling Program At Adams Plateau, Identifies Numerous Targets

Altamira Gold Identifies Presence Of Second Mineralized Porphyry Body At Cajueiro

Related News

China: Europe Must Adhere to Climate Change Goals Despite Geopolitical Uncertainty

Yes, you read that right: China, the epitome of dirty energy consumption, is urging Europe—...

Thursday, September 22, 2022, 02:34:39 PM

Climate Narrative Goes After Rice

AFP News recently did a feature on how the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 07:33:00 AM

Federal Government Plans to Mandate EV Sales in 2026

Pretty soon, all vehicles sold in Canada will need to be electric. In a series...

Thursday, December 22, 2022, 06:25:00 AM

Historically Low Water Levels at Panama Canal Drive Gas Carrier Rates to Record Peaks

Low water levels at the Panama Canal are causing significant delays, leading to record-high rates...

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 03:42:00 PM

Severe Storm Wreaks Havoc Across the United Arab Emirates

A powerful storm has caused widespread disruption and damage across the United Arab Emirates, forcing...

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 01:40:00 PM