Climate Smart Agriculture in Ireland: An Overview Ronan Gleeson, Assistant Agricultural Inspector, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), IRELAND GACSA Annual Forum, 15th June 2016. Ronan Gleeson , Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, IRELAND

Location and climate Grassland Area Ireland Europe 80% 40%

Land use and agriculture

Emissions from agriculture

Challenges towards implementing CSA in Ireland Mitigation Total emissions from agriculture are projected to increase by 6 to 7% over the period 2014 – 2020 (EPA, 2016) Adaptation The Irish agriculture sector has in recent years faced an increased number of extreme weather events e.g. 2012/2013 livestock fodder crisis Productivity Irish agriculture has significantly improved its performance in term of productivity and output in recent decades Structural barriers

CSA network for Ireland Co-operation of stakeholders Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act Enabling Environment: Food Wise 2025, Research programmes e.g. SHARP, EIP Advisory and extension, IFA Smart Farming, Knowledge: Investment: RDP 2014-2020 CAP,

Co-operation Knowledge Transfer Groups: best agronomic and environmental practice via discussion groups Farmer participation Extension Research Investment Advisory services: Continuous Professional Development Grassland management, Genetics, ICT Public: RDP, EIP’s Private: Demonstration Farms, Credit access

Conclusions Agriculture is an important element of the landscape and economy Significant challenges ahead particularly in terms of climate mitigation Practices can have co-benefits for CSA Requires co-operation from building capacity among farmers to the wider engagement of, and interaction among, other relevant actors (research, extension)

Thank you