Ireland's agri-food sector plays a vital role in the national economy, while simultaneously accounting for almost 38% of national greenhouse gas emissions. Meeting the country’s environmental targets will require a careful balancing of environmental imperatives with economic viability and food security. From Policy to Pasture: Bridging the Gap Between Climate Targets and Irish Agricultural Realities is the first publication by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), under the Pathways: Ireland’s Agricultural Future project. 

This paper examines the complex architecture of climate change policies at both European Union and national levels, with a specific focus on Ireland’s agri-food sector. It highlights the unique challenges Ireland faces in reconciling its position as a major agricultural producer with increasingly ambitious climate targets at national and EU level.