Bank of Ireland emphasizes support for biomethane policy in new white paper

In Ireland, the Bank of Ireland emphasized its support for the Irish agriculture industry at the launch of two white papers on the development of the biomethane sector, and supporting the sustainable transition of the agrifood sector.

The important role biomethane plays in decarbonising the agriculture sector was explored in more detail, with expert speakers delving into the operating model including the feedstock supply chain and discussing how Ireland can meet both domestic and EU targets. A scaled up biomethane sector is crucial to achieving the emissions reduction target for agriculture by 2030, with coordinated climate, energy and bioeconomy policies required to reach this goal.

As the leading lender to Irish agriculture, with over 82,000 farm customers on its books, Bank of Ireland continues to support farmers and farming communities as the wider sector continues its transition to employing more sustainable practices. Providing targeted financial supports like Enviroflex loans, which reward farmers improving the environmental footprint of their farms, ensures they can implement enhanced sustainability practises as well as boosting overall farm profitability.

Both white papers emphasise that a collaborative approach, along with a supportive financial system, is vital in ensuring that the current progress is maintained in embedding on-farm sustainability measures. Further investment and research in this area is required, with increased sustainability performance being incentivised and clarity provided at a policy level – so that impactful solutions can be designed and investment directed to speed up implementation.