Carbon footprint - Ireland’s poor energy record

CONTRASTING faces of Ireland’s economic success emerge from separate reports out today showing that while the Republic is set to top the euro growth league this year, it has the dubious distinction of boasting the seventh largest carbon footprint in Europe.

According to an upbeat economic forecast, Irish GDP is set to grow by 5.2% this year. However, in line with a spate of warnings that the economy is heading for a soft landing, the report suggests economic growth will ease to 4% in 2008, putting Ireland third in the eurozone league by next year.

From an environmental perspective, there is a high price to be paid for Ireland’s remarkable economic success. According to an international study by Friends of the Earth, this country is guzzling fossil fuel resources so fast it has one of Europe’s blackest carbon footprints.