Large Industry

Between 1990 and 2005 emissions from the industrial and commercial sectors in Ireland rose by 31% from 9.56 Mt to 12.55 Mt. However, emissions fell by 23.5% between 2007 and 2009 to 9.25 Mt. This is the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial and commercial sector for 20 years. It is due mainly to decreases in cement production during the current recession. Data from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme detail decreases in CO₂ emissions from cement production of 11% (0.43 Mt) between 2007 and 2008 and a further 38% (1.3 Mt) between 2008 and 2009.