Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) President James O’Donnell has expressed his concerns about the 25% emissions reduction target set for the agriculture sector which was announced by the government this week. He added that there is “no clear path” to achieving this by 2030 without the development of new technologies and innovations.
O’Donnell pointed out that, “We need to be honest about the implications. Unfortunately, again we see a target established without a concrete plan as to how the target will be achieved.”
With ICOS being the representative body for co-operatives, the president defended their role in achieving climate targets. “Co-ops are responsible businesses and we have an important role in supporting and helping our shareholders with our sustainability goals, which we are currently doing and will intensify over the coming period.” But the odds are stacked against agriculture in its efforts to reduce emissions, as the current accounting framework for emissions is not fit for purpose, he said.
In ICOS’s view, “The target set is legally binding and must be met by the sector. This will result in significant change at farm and co-op level as a result.”
While the society recognises the responsibility to lower emissions, the goal “must be balanced against the need to protect food security and the viability of our rural businesses and communities.”
“Farmers and the sector will not get credit for adopting renewable energy nor will they get credit for sequestration from grassland and hedgerows. This remains an unacceptable element of the Government’s approach to climate change,” O’Donnell said.