Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions rise

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche is under increasing pressure to review Government policy on climate change after the publication of figures showing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2004 after a modest drop in the previous year.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report found greenhouse gas emissions are 23.5% higher than in 1990, while our current Kyoto commitment is to limit the increase to 13% before 2012.

Transport emissions have increased by 6% on 2003 figures, and residential emissions have increased by 7%.

Mr Roche said the economic boom was responsible for the rise in gas emissions, but said the situation was improving.

“Ireland is a different country than it was in 1990. It is booming, with a very progressive economy. We do have a challenge and we do have to have meet that challenge in a variety of ways.”

Mr Roche predicted that emissions for 2005 will be lower than 2004 as industry becomes more environmentally conscious.

The Nitrates Directive and changes in agriculture should also help, he said.

He referred to positive Government measures like excise relief on biofuels announced in the Budget.

“I know a number of members of the Cabinet who are looking at new fuel-efficient cars. I am interested in one of the hybrid cars coming on the market.

“That’s a win-win situation for everybody. If we can get into more fuel-efficient cars we save money and save the environment. Everybody has to pull in the same direction on this.”

Reacting to the findings, Friends of the Earth warned Ireland must radically overhaul its economic, energy and environmental policies if it is to do its fair share to prevent climate change.

Director Oisín Coghlan said: “Climate change and energy policy are going to dominate our public agenda in years ahead in the way unemployment and emigration did in years gone by.

“We can start now and make incremental changes or we can face disruption and upheaval in the future.

“We need to fundamentally reassess the way we think, the way we live and the way we work. We tackled our economic under-development with a creative mix of new thinking, investment in education, social partnership and Government incentives.

“We need the same degree of innovation, investment and incentives and the same social and political commitment if we are to make the shift to sustainability.”