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Abstract

A PhD studentship starting Autumn 2025 exploring behavioural change interventions for adoption of carbon farming practices in Ireland.

Description

Achieving a carbon neutral agriculture sector by 2050 is a key element of the national greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy in Ireland. The “farmer is at the heart of this transition” (Ag Climatise, 2020), as progress towards achieving climate objectives requires the uptake of carbon farming measures. Such measures implemented by farmers e.g., cover crops, min/no tillage, and planting trees, aim to sequester carbon. Despite efforts to improve knowledge exchange events around carbon farming to enhance uptake, which seem well attended, impactful use of certain mitigation measures is low.

Existing approaches in Ireland to knowledge exchange around carbon farming frame adoption decisions in terms of how mitigation measures benefit farmers (or otherwise) on an individual level and their corresponding willingness to adopt. They don’t account for individual contexts and capabilities and that behavioural decisions are affected by social and cultural factors, as well as incentives and opportunities within the agricultural knowledge and innovation system (AKIS).

There is a gap in farmer action on carbon farming and, on the part of research, a weakness in understanding behavioural drivers. Whilst investigating behavioural drivers behind engagement and use is not new, few studies have applied comprehensive behavioural frameworks in the context of the AKIS. Recent papers have highlighted the importance of doing so, as well as moving towards an exploration of farmers’ capabilities, opportunities, and motivations. Using mixed methods involving farmers and Teagasc advisors, our aim is to expedite the meaningful and impactful use of carbon farming measures through a more nuanced understanding of farmer behaviour. The project will use behavioural frameworks that embed the individual farmer within the AKIS to explain reasons for non/use of carbon farming measures and to co-create interventions for enhanced use, considering the role for Teagasc, other AKIS actors (such as industry) and policy-makers.