Higher levels of CO2 blamed on Celtic Tiger era car growth

THE increase in cars during the boom years contributed to Ireland’s high carbon dioxide levels, according to new figures published yesterday.

The Central Statistics Office figures also indicate that Ireland will struggle to achieve its target reduction in greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Agreement.

Between 1998 and 2007 greenhouse gas emissions here increased by almost 5%, although acid rain precursors, such as sulphur dioxide, fell by 33%.