Letters

Biomethane strategy and emissions

Climate system

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Thu May 30 2024 - 00:06

Sir, – A biomethane strategy aims to replace imported gas with cheaper biomethane from Irish farms (News, May 29th).

However, it will do little to reduce Ireland’s carbon emissions.

The claim that zero-carbon gas is generated from grass and organic wastes is misleading. Unlike wind and solar, this renewable energy source generates carbon after anaerobic digestion is completed and it is consumed for energy use.

So why is the biomethane strategy being positioned as a positive development to reduce emissions when Minister for Climate Eamon Ryan in the same press briefing said governments “have not reduced emissions quickly enough to prevent the climate system moving into an uncharted and irreversible state”? – Yours, etc,

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MARK FOX,

Dublin 18.