Brian Ó Gallachóir: How has Ireland reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 18% since 2005?

Ireland has now become a leader in terms of climate ambition, second only globally to Denmark in ambition between now and 2030, says UCC's Brian Ó Gallachóir who is leading the university's delegation to Cop-26

Ireland has also reduced GHG emissions in road transport by 23%, although the pandemic restrictions contributed significantly here.

As Governments around the world prepare for the 26th Conference of the Parties (Cop-26) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that takes place shortly in Glasgow, what news can Ireland bring?

Ireland’s political ambition on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction has increased significantly since the Cop-25 meeting in December 2019. At Cop-25, Ireland’s ambitions and plans to achieve a 30% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 was shared with delegates. At Cop-26, the Government will bring news to Glasgow just two years later of a significantly more ambitious target, namely to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030.