Carbon farming - what is it, and why does it matter for Ireland?

Carbon farming is a way of rewarding farmers and land managers for practices that either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase the amount of carbon stored in soils and vegetation. It means that environmentally friendly land management can be a measurable and potentially income-generating activity. PFI see reductions in carbon emissions as a key ecosystem service that will be verified under the Peatland Standard, alongside co-benefits such as water volume, biodiversity uplift, flood prevention and other community benefits.

In Ireland, this is especially important because of our extensive peatlands. When peatlands are drained, they release significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon farming in these landscapes often involves restoring degraded bogs and controlling erosion, much of which begins by raising the water table in peatlands, which may have grasslands above. This helps to slow ongoing carbon losses and allows these ecosystems to revert to their natural function as a carbon store, or 'sink'.

At EU level, the European Commission is developing the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, which aims to create clear rules and certification standards for carbon removals and carbon farming. The Commission, supported by an Expert Group, is developing methods for the certification of different carbon farming methods for activities such as agriculture, agroforestry, and peatland restoration. Existing certification schemes can apply to be recognised under the CRCF. The framework is designed to ensure that carbon farming claims are credible, measurable and environmentally robust, opening the door to trusted carbon markets and new funding streams for landowners.

For Ireland, carbon farming matters because it can:

• Help us to meet national climate targets

• Support farm incomes through diversifying revenue

• Restore biodiversity and improve water quality

• Protect and enhance peatland ecosystems.

• Contribute to flood prevention at a regional scale.

Ireland has an opportunity to lead in best-practice carbon farming, particularly in peatland restoration. PFI is supporting the EU to develop CRCF methodologies through participation in its Expert Group, and aims for the Peatland Standard for Ireland to be one of the first restoration standards certified under the CRCF, setting a benchmark for high-integrity peatland restoration in Europe and allowing Irish farmers to lead the way.