•Key emissions reductions in 2011 were as follows:
Energy emissions (principally electricity generation) decreased by 10.5%.
Residential sector emissions decreased by 15.6%.
Industry and Commercial emissions decreased by 10.7%
Transport sector emissions decreased 2.7%
Agriculture emissions decreased by 1.9%
Based on the first four years of the Kyoto Protocol period, Ireland is on track to meet its Kyoto obligations when the impact of EU Emissions Trading Scheme and approved Forest Sinks are taken into account.
Lower emissions from the energy sector reflect an increase in the share of renewables in gross electricity consumption from 12.9% in 2010 to 19.4% in 2011. Wind resources were significantly higher in 2011 than in 2010 (up 56%).
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Emissions from the industry and commercial sector decreased by 0.96 million tonnes (10.7%) in 2011. Returns from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme show emissions from the cement sector peaked in 2007 and have decreased by 60% between 2007 and 2011.
Provisional greenhouse gas emissions figures released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include trends from 1990 and show Ireland’s status in meeting our obligations set under the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 4.12 million tonnes (6.7%) in 2011 to 57.34 million tonnes.
Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to overall emissions, at 32.1% of the total, followed by Energy (primarily power generation) and Transport at 20.8% and 19.7% respectively. The remainder is made up by the Industry and Commercial at 14.0%, the Residential sector at 11.5% and Waste at 1.8%.
The figures show that Ireland's combined emissions in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 1.77 million tonnes above its Kyoto limit when the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and approved Forest Sinks are taken into account. Taking unused allowances from the ETS into account, Ireland is on track to meet its Kyoto commitment. However, the country faces considerable challenges in meeting EU 2020 targets and developing a low-carbon emission pathway to 2050.
Commenting on the figures Dara Lynott, Deputy Director General, EPA said: "Ireland's progress in meeting its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol is very welcome. However, we must not assume that recession induced reductions mean that environmental pressures are being managed in a sustainable way. Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and moving Ireland to a resource efficient and sustainable society will require an integrated approach by policy makers and behavioural change by us all."
(CD/GK)
