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.

EPA figures last year showed carbon dioxide emissions from transport, mainly road traffic, rose by 127% from 1990-2002. Dr Sweeney said Environment Minister Dick Roche had indicated regional planning guidelines were not mandatory. CSO figures published last month showed:

* There were 1.5 million cars in 2002, compared to 800,000 in 1990.

* Almost 1 million people drove to work in 2002, compared to 490,000 in 1986.

Green Party’s energy spokesman Eamon Ryan said last year’s U-turn on converting Moneypoint power station from coal to gas meant five million tonnes of carbon dioxide would continue to be pumped out every year.