Signpost News Updates
2022
Signpost Programme Celebrates it's First Anniversary
The Signpost Programme celebrated its first birthday on 21st May last. The Teagasc-led, whole of industry, collaborative approach to supporting farmers in climate action was formally launched in May 2021. A lot has happened since then. This short article summarises the highlights of the past 12 months. Read more about the achievements & events throughout the year here.
2021
Agriculture and Land Use Sectors under Climate Action Plan 2021
Message from Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue
In my opinion, Ireland is the sustainable food capital of the world and our farmers are the pioneers who will lead out in Ireland meeting out climate ambitions.
The sustainability of Ireland’s food production system is well recognised internationally and acts as a key competitive driver in international markets.
This is due to the efforts of all actors across the supply chain, starting of course with our primary producers. Without our farmers, foresters, and fishers, we simply wouldn’t have the wider agri-food industry that we are all so proud of today. Read full message here Agriculture & Land Use Sectors-Climate Action Plan
The IPCC Report August 2021
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report does not pull any punches when it comes to the crisis the world faces, writes Prof Peter Thorne, Coordinating Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. Click here for the 6 key messages from the report: 6 key takeaways from the new climate change report (rte.ie)
The Status of Ireland’s Climate Report August 2021
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Met Éireann (MÉ) and the Marine Institute (MI) have published a report on “The Status of Ireland’s Climate”. It confirms and updates findings from the 2012 report and details how global changes are being reflected in our atmosphere, oceans and our landscape. For the key findings click here.
Key findings from the Status of Ireland’s Climate Report
Atmosphere
- The annual average surface air temperature in Ireland has increased by over 0.9oC over the last 120 years, with a rise in temperature being observed in all seasons.
- Annual precipitation was 6 per cent higher in the period 1989 to 2018, compared to the 30-year period 1961 to 1990.
- The concentration of the main Climate driver: greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide - measured in Ireland, continued to increase since 2012 with long term implications for our climate.
Oceans
- Satellite observations indicate that the sea level around Ireland has risen by approximately 2-3mm per year since the early 1990s.
Measurements in the surface water to the west of Ireland indicate an increase in ocean acidity which is comparable to the rate of change in oceans around the world.
The average sea surface temperature measured at Malin Head has been 0.47ºC higher over the last ten years compared to the period 1981-2010.
Land
- There is an increase in river flows across most of Ireland since the early 70s. However, there is evidence in recent years of an increase in potential drought conditions especially in the east.
- Land cover observations since 1990 show increases in the areas covered by artificial surfaces and forest whilst there is a decrease in wetland areas.
Full report https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/climate-change/Research_Report_386.pdf