Statistics
Ó An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Ó An Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
According to the latest figures, Ireland has exceeded its annual EU emissions budget for the third year in a row, and by a margin of over 5 million tonnes.
In 2018, 71% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions came from Energy industries, Agriculture and Transport.
Ireland's targets are set at an EU level. To find out more click here.
Emissions from the transport sector accounted for 20.2% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, an increase of 1.7% compared to 2017.
The transport sector includes emissions from aviation, road, rail, water-borne navigations and other transportation such as pipeline transportation.
Emissions in the sector have risen rapidly in recent decades and remain stubbornly coupled to economic growth.
Emissions from energy industries accounted for 17.1% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2018, a decrease of 11.7% compared to 2017.
This sector includes emissions from electricity generation, waste to energy incineration, oil and natural gas refining, briquetting manufacture as well as fugitive emissions from oil and gas production, transmission and exploration.
Agriculture was responsible for 34% of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, an increase of 1.9% compared to 2017.
The main sources of emissions come from methane emitted by cattle and sheep, fertilisers, manures, animal faeces and urine and diesel for agricultural machinery.
The waste sector was responsible for 1.5% of Ireland's Greenhouse Gas emissions in 2018.
This includes emissions from solid waste disposal, composting, waste incineration, open burning of waste and wastewater treatment and discharge.
Each year, Irish households produce around one tonne of waste. Whether it is recycled or ends up in landfill, all that waste must be transported, treated and disposed of. More information and statistics on Ireland’s Waste Story is available here.
Emissions from our homes, commercial and public services accounted for 13.7% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2018. The includes emissions from fuel used for space and hot water heating in buildings.
Emissions from enterprise (those associated with the production process) were 13.6% of Ireland’s greenhouse gases in 2018. Of this, 68% falls within the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) which works on the 'cap and trade' principle.
The forestry, wetlands and bog sector is a net source of carbon as it helps remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The total area under forestry is currently estimated to be 770,020 hectares or 11% of Ireland’s total land area; the highest level in over 350 years. The European average however stands at 33.5%, meaning Ireland has one of the lowest levels of forest cover in the EU. Just over half, of Irish forestry is in public ownership.
Under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 programme, afforestation rates have been an average of 5,500 ha per year.
Emissions from public sector buildings accounted for only 1.5% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2017, the broader leadership role of public bodies means that their actions can act as a catalyst for more ambitious climate action across society and must not be overlooked.