Traffic fumes ‘rising sharply’

GREENHOUSE gas emissions from traffic are rising sharply because of the Government’s failure to address growing car dependency and long-distance commuting, experts and environmentalists said yesterday.

The failure to convert Moneypoint power station from coal to gas means 20% of Ireland’s planned reduction in carbon dioxide emissions will not happen.

“Car dependency and long-distance commuting are not being tackled effectively. The emissions from transport are growing faster than anywhere else because national planning guidelines are not being enforced,” said Dr John Sweeney, a senior lecturer in geography in Maynooth University.