Report: Recession prompts fall-off in greenhouse gas emissions

GREENHOUSE gas emissions are decreasing thanks to the downturn in the economy, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report has found.

With people increasingly reducing their carbon footprint in these recessionary times, it is estimated Ireland will need to purchase around half of its carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol, potentially saving the Government tens of millions of euros.

The greenhouse gas projections, published under the National Climate Change Strategy, give a picture of Ireland’s ability to meet international targets with respect to greenhouse gas emissions.