Ireland and New Zealand announce €5.2 million for agri-climate projects

Three research projects aimed at developing new technologies to reduce and account for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are to receive funding of €5.2 million as part of the Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI).

The projects were announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Research and Innovation, Martin Heydon TD, together with the New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Todd McClay MP.

Making the announcement, Minister McConalogue stated: “The agricultural sector has been to the forefront in implementing actions to mitigate its impact on climate change, including through the implementation of technologies and practices arising from research funded by my Department. The three projects being announced today, with combined Ireland-New Zealand funding of €5.2 million, will contribute to advancing our mitigation efforts, building on the progress achieved last year where a reduction in emissions from agriculture of 4.6% was achieved”.

In recognition of the strong existing research connections and the common challenges facing the agri-food sectors in both Ireland and New Zealand, the JRI was established in 2022 to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between funders and researchers on a bilateral basis, align research priorities and activities, and exploit synergies where they exist.

The 2024 projects will be coordinated in Ireland by researchers from Teagasc and University of Galway in collaboration with University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

Marking this investment, Minister Heydon said: “I am pleased to announce today the continuation of our strong investment in agriculture and climate change research through the Joint Research Initiative between Ireland and New Zealand. The funding of €2.3 million for the Irish partners involved will go towards mitigation measures for greenhouse gases, inventory refinement, and technologies to improve methane emission estimates. Our partnership with New Zealand over the last three years has seen us jointly invest almost €20 million in ground-breaking research and I am confident this will serve us into the future in improving the sustainability of our common pasture-based livestock farming systems.”

Echoing these remarks and acknowledging the success of the pilot programme, New Zealand’s Minister for Agriculture Hon Todd McClay said, “This pilot has provided valuable opportunities for scientists to expand research links and tap into international expertise and equipment. Their work has boosted understanding of rumen microbiology and low emissions livestock breeding, improved greenhouse gas inventories, and developed new tools and techniques for farmers and researchers to understand and mitigate on-farm emissions. I would like to commend the Ireland and New Zealand research communities for getting behind this important initiative. Together we can make a step-change in research efforts to drive down agricultural emissions, grow value through climate-friendly products, and help ensure the long-term wellbeing of our environment and people.”

Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Initiative

The Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Initiative (JRI) is a pilot research initiative for an initial period of 3 years (2022-2024). More details about the initiative can be found here: Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism