Ireland Facing Difficult Emissions Reduction Targets For The Next Three Years

Friday, 14 July 2023 at 13:22

Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by just 1.9%.

Ireland is now facing "extremely challenging" emissions reduction targets of 12.4% annually for the next three years, according to the Environment Protection Agency.

The latest figures show Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by just 1.9% last year.

The Environmental Protection Agency says the fall was driven by higher fuel prices, increased renewable energy, behavioural change and regulation.

It means 47% of Ireland’s carbon budget for 2021-25 has been used in the first two years.

Emission reductions were recorded in all key sectors other than transport but many of these improvements were modest.

The report found power generation emissions decreased by 1.9%t due to a reduction in coal, oil and peat use and more renewable energy.

Agriculture emissions fell by 1.2%, and residential emissions dropped by 12.7%.

The report warned that a growing economy, with high employment, will continue to produce emissions if cleaner and alternative sources of energy are not used.

Midlands and Green Party Senator, Pippa Hackett says the figures show we are beginning to turn the tide on reducing Ireland's contribution to climate change, but we need to increase the speed of change: