Transport to blame for hike in State emissions

THE growth in sales of large cars and reliance on private rather than public transport are major factors in the biggest increases in Irish greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In its latest report on emissions, the agency shows that transport emissions made up 19% of the 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide generated here in 2005.

The EPA says that 7% increase in transport emissions was the highest in any sector and brings the rise on 1990 figures to 160%. But 96% of those transport gases were created by road transport, reflecting increasing vehicle numbers, a trend towards purchasing larger vehicles, an increased reliance on private cars and increasing road freight transport.