Greenhouse gas output plunged during recession

The link between economic activity and greenhouse gas emissions may not be as clear cut as previously thought, according to Central Statistics Office data.

Latest figures show that while the country’s GDP grew by 40% during the boom period 2000-2007, greenhouse gas levels were relatively unchanged.

However, when GDP fell 7% in the downturn of 2007-2012, greenhouse gas emissions fell at a rate more than double that, dropping by a dramatic 14.6%.