State of Science webinar - NZAGRC x Teagasc: The challenge of managing soil carbon on agricultural peatlands

Presenter:      Louis Schipper, University of Waikato; and Owen Fenton, Teagasc

Chair:                Karl Richards, Teagasc

This webinar featured discussions from a few of the top researchers in this area and provided an update on the latest research surrounding peatlands and greenhouse gases.

A surprisingly high share of New Zealand's carbon dioxide emissions comes from a tiny proportion of soil - peat bogs that have been drained to support productive agriculture. Estimates indicate that drained peatlands in New Zealand (<1% of the land area) contributes about 8% of our national net greenhouse gas emissions. A similar emissions profile is estimated for Ireland. Is there anything we can do to manage this?

This webinar is part of the 2024 “State of Science” webinar series. Upcoming topics and dates will be broadcast at www.nzagrc.org.nz/webinar

About the research programme 

New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change is a joint NZ-Ireland government initiative that is a step-change in research efforts to help drive down agricultural emissions, grow the value of primary products, and tackle common challenges facing agri-food sectors. 

“Agriculture is at the heart of both the Ireland and New Zealand economies, which makes us natural partners.” said NZ Minister of Agriculture, Hon Todd McLay recently. 

Todd McClay says New Zealand is proud to work with Ireland to deliver this important initiative by helping to build research capacity and capability, and boost sustainability. 

Funding is provided for the research programme by the NZAGRC, and the New Zealand and Irish governments in support of the Global Research Alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases. 

About the NZAGRC-Teagasc relationship 

The NZAGRC and Teagasc have committed to ongoing collaboration, information sharing and supporting research and capability building to build stronger, more connected work programmes that deliver globally applicable solutions for farmers and growers. 

About the NZAGRC  

The NZAGRC was created in 2009 to build on existing research, partnering with others to bring cost-effective, simple solutions to New Zealand farms and contribute world-leading results to the international science community.  

New Zealand is a world leader in research aimed at quantifying and mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, the NZAGRC is at the centre of this effort and works internationally to share knowledge and expertise. 

About Teagasc 

Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority, is the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities in Ireland. The Teagasc Climate Centre is a virtual centre to co-ordinate agricultural climate and biodiversity research and innovation across Teagasc. It focuses on the development and implementation of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance biodiversity. The Climate Centre supports and facilitates the Irish agriculture sector to meet its commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring biodiversity.