Commenting on the figures Dr Mary Kelly, Director General, EPA said:

“The magnitude of the reduction in Ireland’s annual Greenhouse Gas emissions in 2009 is unprecedented. In particular the 20% cut in emissions from the Industry and Commercial Sector reflects the impact which the severe economic recession is having on industrial output in Ireland.
 

“While the reduction is welcome in terms of meeting our emission limits for 2008 - 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol, we need to use this opportunity to embed fundamental emission reductions in the economy in order to meet the very stringent EU 2020 limits which we face and to move permanently to a low carbon economy. We should not rely on a recession to meet our targets for the future.”

Speaking at the launch of the EPA report, Dr. Ken Macken, Programme Manager, EPA said:

“For the first time in the twenty years for which Greenhouse Gas emissions have been published, this year EPA is reporting reductions in every sector across the board. While some of these reflect the impact of the many improvements which have already been taken to reduce our emissions, it is important to ensure further measures are taken in order to meet our emission limits for 2020 and beyond.”

The provisional summary report of Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2009 can be downloaded from the EPA website.