Two thirds of Cork city's greenhouse gases come from home energy and road transport

Cork’s most congested roads, including the South Ring are emissions blackspots.

Two-thirds of greenhouse gases in Cork City are generated by home energy and road transport, research commissioned by Cork City Council has found.

Cork City is releasing nearly 1m tonnes of greenhouse gases every year, the study, by University College Cork (UCC), revealed.

Some 78,856 homes in the city contribute 34% of total emissions. 

Road transport, especially cars, accounts for another 29%. 

Commercial services and industry came in third with 22% of emissions.

Cork’s most congested roads, including the South Ring, N8, and Anglesea St, are emissions blackspots.

Cars account for almost 90% of road users. 

Car ownership rates are almost double the national average in some areas, with 800 cars per 1,000 people in some areas compared to the average of 450 cars per 1,000 people nationally.

The vast majority of road transport emissions are from private car travel, with some from road freight, public service, and other vehicles.

Public services contribute 7% of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture and fisheries generate 6%, and waste is responsible for 2%.

Home energy upgrades along with travel by public transport, walking, and cycling are some of the most effective ways to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the city, the research suggests.

The Modelling and Spatial Mapping of Cork City Baseline Emissions study, completed by UCC’s School of Engineering and Architecture, Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine
(MaREI) and the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and led by Dr Marguerite Nyhan, gathered data on emissions from homes, vehicles, and businesses. 

The primary objective of this research was to model and spatially map Cork City’s baseline greenhouse gas emissions for the base year of 2018.

Household emissions are the single largest source (34%) of greenhouse gas emissions overall.

The study found that in 2018, total energy demand from households was 1,174 GWh, emitting 332 ktCO2. 

• In the housing sector, home heating demand accounted for 71.7% of energy and contributed 62.6% to total emissions. 
• Electrical usage accounted for 29% of energy and contributed 38% of total emissions. 
• The housing stock for Cork City in 2018 included 78,856 homes. The average BER was a C1, with 58% of the housing stock having a BER of C3 or higher.
• Semi-detached homes made up the highest share (41%) of the housing stock.
• This was followed by terraced homes (26%), apartments (19%), and detached homes (14%).
• The highest emitting housing type was detached, contributing 5 tCO2 per home, while the lowest emitting housing type an apartment, contributed 3 tCO2 per home 
• The larger detached homes in outer suburban areas exhibited the highest total energy and emissions estimates.
• In commercial and services, the main business activity and subsequent emissions were found to be from offices, the hospitality sector (hotels, bars, and restaurants) and the retail sector. 

The average non-domestic BER in Cork City was found to be a D1. 

Electricity was the most prominent heating source. It was found to be 64% of main space heating systems.

There was very limited industrial or manufacturing activity within the city boundary. 

In the public services, universities and hospitals were the largest source of emissions in Cork City’s public buildings. 

Street lighting accounted for a significant amount of Cork City Council’s electricity usage.