Greenhouse gas emissions down 2.2%, but Ireland is 'nowhere near where we should be'

While the country is on the right track, transport emissions are on the rise compared with other sectors such as agriculture — which is on the decline. Picture: Larry Cummins

Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were down by 2.2% in the first quarter of this year, a report has revealed.

However, while the country is on the right track, transport emissions are on the rise compared with other sectors such as agriculture — which is on the decline.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has published its latest study on greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for the first quarter of 2024.

The report is part of a new series of quarterly studies which support early and frequent monitory of progress on climate action.

The report for quarter one shows:

• An overall reduction of 2.2% in the first three months of 2024, compared to the same quarter last year;
• The largest sectoral decrease in emissions was observed in electricity emissions, which were down 16.7% (-312 kt CO2 eq), driven by reductions in fossil fuel use and the increased importation of electricity;
• Agriculture emissions were down 2.6% (-129 kt CO2 eq) due to reduced lime application to soils and lower milk output;
• Transport emissions were up 2.7% (78.2 kt CO2eq), driven by increased sales of petrol (+9.6%) and diesel (+1.3%);
• And emissions from commercial and household buildings rose by 5.8% (+126.0 kt CO2 eq) due to increased demand for heating and a fall in the price of gas.

Reacting to the report, Maynooth University professor of physical geography Peter Thorne told the Irish Examiner: “It’s a positive report, but nowhere near where we should be.” 

'Government needs to lead the way'

“Our national emissions preliminary are not going down anywhere near fast enough to meet our legal obligations” he said. 

“It is positive that greenhouse emissions are going down, but that needs to be sustained and also needs to be quicker.

The Government can do things, but equally the public can do things too

“It is also down to the vehicle you buy, the heating you use for your home, heat pumps, electricity, solar panels, there is a whole host of things we can all do, but the Government needs to lead the way — they cannot do it all.

“There is also a lot of misinformation about choices that can be made for a household. For example, some people are being told the heat pump won’t work in old houses, but it probably could work. 

"So poor information and misinformation is out there — when things can work, but we are told they cannot.

“There is always something we can change, all of us are making emissions that we can reduce, it’s a long-term goal.

“I would urge the public now, as we approach the next general election, that they should vote with climate in mind, as it is the voters that will make that difference when they choose which party is leading the way on climate change.” 

The EPA's director of the office of evidence and assessment, Eimear Cotter, said: “The reduction of 2.2% in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in the first quarter of 2024, when compared with the same period last year, is welcome.

"This shows that we can make progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions when concerted action is taken.”