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Project title

Scenarios Quantifying land Use & Emissions Transitions towards Equilibrium with Removals

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

David Styles

Project Abstract

The SeQUEsTER project combines expertise in bioeconomic modelling (Prof. Cathal O�Donohue, NUIG), GHG accounting and life cycle assessment (LCA) (Dr David Styles, NUIG) and transdisciplinary research (Dr Mary Ryan, Teagasc). We will apply a transdisciplinary approach to co-develop with relevant stakeholders potential pathways towards carbon neutrality by 2050 for Ireland�s agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sector. Through stakeholder workshops, close collaboration with GHG accounting experts, and exploration of system boundaries applied in GHG accounting, the project will provide a definition of �carbon neutrality� and produce a road map towards this �horizon target�. Bioeconomic and land use models developed by Prof. O�Donoghue�s research group will be adapted with algorithms for GHG accounting and ammonia emissions used for national inventory reporting, drawing on experience of recent marginal abatement cost curve work undertaken by Teagasc. These models will be expanded, taking an LCA approach to account for, inter alia, possible international carbon leakage and cross-sectoral GHG offsetting via trade in agricultural commodities (e.g. fertilisers and animal feeds) and substitution of fossil fuels with biomass from Ireland�s AFOLU sector. The project will provide a uniquely comprehensive evidence base for stakeholders to guide the AFOLU sector towards a sustainable, carbon neutral future.

Grant Approved

�348,933.86

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Carbon Stocks, GHG Emissions, Sinks and Management Options

Start Date

25/03/2019

Initial Projected Completion Date

24/03/2022