The Climate Change Advisory Council has called on the Government to urgently support and incentivise the rapid uptake of cost-effective farming measures to reduce agricultural emissions.
It also wants the Government, retailers, and consumer organisations to launch an information initiative to promote a switch to more sustainable diets that would involve eating less meat.
The agriculture sector is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, accounting for more than a third.
These emissions are mainly methane from livestock and nitrous oxide due to the use of nitrogen fertiliser and manure management.
Those emissions fell by 4.6% last year thanks to a sharp drop in nitrogen fertiliser use.
The sector, however, is still way off achieving its legally binding target of a 25% cut in emissions by 2030.
This detailed examination of agriculture published today said it is urgent now that the Government does much more to incentivise the changes in farming practices and land management that climate action requires.
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Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council Marie Donnelly said the Government must communicate the opportunities and incentivise proven measures for farmers, suppliers and the wider industry.
According to the council, some of the key areas where more Government incentives are needed include the accelerated roll out of protected urea fertiliser, increased uptake of methane reducing feed and manure additives and ensuring livestock achieve the targeted weight for slaughter at a younger age.
They also want meat factories to adjust the bonus payments they give to farmers to ensure livestock are finished at an earlier age.
The council also highlighted the international scientific consensus that shifting to a healthy and sustainable diet containing less meat, sugar, salt and fat can significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
It wants the Government, retailers, and consumer organisations to jointly launch an information initiative to empower people to switch to what it says would be low-cost, healthy and sustainable diet choices.
Elsewhere the sectoral review praises the financial support and incentives to encourage organic farming.
The area being farmed organically in Ireland has trebled on foot of improved financial supports since 2021, and approximately 5,000 farmers are now participating in the organic farming scheme.
Nevertheless, it said more incentives and supports were required to improve land management practices across all land uses to enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change and improve biodiversity with measures such as water table management, mixed swards, and hedgerows and woodlands extensions.
Meanwhile the council has signalled what it described as "real concern" about the forestry sector.
It said forests are becoming a source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland rather than a carbon sink.
This is due to a large proportion of the national forest estate approaching harvesting age, while afforestation rates have been insufficient to balance the removal of stored carbon.
The council has called on the Government to urgently engage with landowners and communities to highlight the financial opportunities and crucial role of forestry in achieving climate and biodiversity goals and provide improved guidance on the Forestry Programme.
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