A Business Case for Climate Neutrality in Pasture-Based Dairy Production Systems in Ireland: Evidence from Farm Zero C

Author:

Rubhara Theresa1,Gaffey James12ORCID,Hunt Gavin2,Murphy Fionnuala23ORCID,O’Connor Kevin24ORCID,Buckley Enda5,Vergara Luis Alejandro23ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Munster Technological University, V92 HD4V Tralee, Ireland

2. BiOrbic Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

3. School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

4. School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

5. Carbery Group, Ballineen Co., P47 YW77 Cork, Ireland

Abstract

Agriculture in Ireland is responsible for producing and exporting healthy, nutritional food pivotal for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as global food security, economic development and sustainable communities. However, the agricultural sector, dominated by a large bovine population, faces the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The objective of the current study was to model the environmental and economic impact of simultaneously applying farm-level climate change mitigation strategies for a conventional grass-based dairy farm in Ireland. An average farm of 52 ha with a spring-calving herd of 93 was used as a reference scenario to create a business case. Partial budgeting was used to calculate the annual net benefit. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to model the reduction in GHG emissions, which was expressed as kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of fat- and protein-corrected milk (kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM). The baseline for average emissions was 0.960 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM. An average farm would reduce its annual emissions by 12% to 0.847 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM in Scenario 1, where climate change mitigation strategies were applied on a minimal scale. For Scenario 2, the emissions are reduced by 36% to 0.614 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM. In terms of annual savings on cash income, an increase of EUR 6634 and EUR 18,045 in net savings for the farm are realised in Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. The business case provides evidence that farms can move towards climate neutrality while still remaining economically sustainable.

Funder

Science Foundation Ire-land’s Zero Emissions Challenge

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction

Reference73 articles.

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3. Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication (2024, January 15). A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Available online: https://assets.gov.ie/8647/dcf554a4-0fb7-4d9c-9714-0b1fbe7dbc1a_3.pdf.

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