Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fell In 2010

Business & Finance - Industry

Wednesday, 09 November 2011 14:38

Written by Mike Fanning

Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.69 million tonnes (1.1%) in 2010 to 61.64 million tonnes, according to provisional figures released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in the Transport and Waste sectors and increased in other sectors: Agriculture, Energy, Industry & Commercial, and Residential.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the Transport sector are 10.1% lower in 2010, reflecting the continued economic downturn and policies such as linking VRT and motor tax to CO2 emissions and the Biofuels Obligation Scheme.

Agriculture emissions are 0.2% higher in 2010. This is the first increase in the agriculture sector in seven years and results from an increase in fertiliser sales and gasoil use on farms reflecting the current strong performance of the agriculture sector in line with the ambitious targets of Food Harvest 2020.

Emissions from Energy (principally electricity generation) increased by 1.9% in 2010, reflecting a reduction in the share of renewables in 2010. Wind and hydro energy resources were less in 2010 which resulted in more electricity generation from coal and gas-fired power stations.

Based on the first three years of the Kyoto Protocol period, Ireland is on track to meet our Kyoto obligations when the impact of EU Emissions Trading Scheme and approved Forest Sinks are taken into account.

Commenting on the figures Laura Burke, Director, EPA said: "The reduction in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions is welcome, particularly the continued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. Ireland is on track to meet our emission limits for 2008 - 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. However in order to meet the very stringent EU 2020 Limits and to move permanently to a low carbon economy, new policies are required to be identified, assessed, adopted and implemented" .