Ireland's Kyoto Commitment

Littleton Peat Briquette Factory, Co. Tipperary

Courtesy of Arnold Horner 2006.

Littleton Peat Briquette Factory, Co. Tipperary
Courtesy of Arnold Horner 2006.

Littleton Peat Briquette Factory, Co. Tipperary

Courtesy of Arnold Horner 2006.

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At Kyoto in 2007, the European Union committed to an average annual GHG emission reduction of 8% below the 1990 levels, over the five year period 2008-2012. Member States of the EU divided these reductions between them.Instead of committing to a reduction in GHG emissions, Ireland negotiated an actual increase of 13% above the 1990 level. Other Member States have committed to a reduction of more than 8% to facilitate Ireland 's increase in emissions with Germany committed to a reduction of 21% below the 1990 level.

In quantitative terms, Ireland 's total allowable emissions, or assigned amount in the period 2008-2012 is 314.18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. This converts to an average of 62.8 million tonnes annually for the five years.

There is a close relationship between levels of greenhouse gas emissions and prevailing economic activity. From 1995 until 2007, Ireland experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth, coupled with a rising population as people from other EU countries and   elsewhere sought to take advantage of all the jobs created during the Celtic Tiger. Greenhouse gas emissions rose in tandem with the increased economic activity. However, from 2008 onwards the Irish economy has been in recession. Our greenhouse gas emissions reflect this sudden decrease in economic activity.

Each year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the actual emissions for the entire country. The latest report on greenhouse gas emissions was published in October 2010 and is available here for download at the Environmental Protection Agency website. In 2009 due to the economic downtown, our emissions fell to an estimated 62.32 Mt CO2eq, which is 7.9% (5.36 Mt CO2eq) lower than the level of emissions in 2008. While this represents a 13.7% increase on 1990 emissions (54.78 Mt CO2eq), it brings Ireland closer to meeting its Kyoto limit. The effects of the economic downturn are mainly evident in:

·          Industrial and commercial sector – emissions are 20.0% (2.31 Mt) lower in 2009 compared with 2008.

·          Energy sector – emissions (primarily power generation) are 10.7& (1.57 Mt) lower in 2009 compared with 2008.

·          Transport sector – emissions are 7.7% (1.09 Mt) lower in 2009 compared with 2008.

 
The emission trends within the various sectors of the Irish economy are shown on the following pages.