Significant investment is required to help Ireland reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to achieve the emission target under the Kyoto Protocol. The most significant and sustained increase in GHG emissions has been from road transport. Europe is aiming to limit the inevitable global temperature increase to just 2oC above pre-industrial times. Ireland needs to play its role in meeting this objective.
We all produce GHG emissions that contribute to climate change — every time we turn on a light, drive our car, start up a computer or do anything that uses energy. You can play your part to reduce GHGs by using less energy, reducing use of your car and using more energy-efficient appliances.
Our activities through the burning of fossil fuels, land use changes and more intensive agriculture have resulted in an increase in the levels of GHGs in the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide. This increase in GHGs enhances the atmosphere's ability to trap heat leading to an increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth. Since the industrial revolution, the global average temperature is estimated to have increased by 0.6oC. Rising temperatures can have a number of possible consequences. These include:
In 2005, Ireland's GHG emissions increased by 25.4% above 1990 levels. The most significant and sustained increase in GHG emissions of 160% has been in the transport sector, mainly due to road transport. Learn more about greenhouse gas emissions.
The average temperature in Ireland increased by 0.7oC during the period 1890-2004. The most evident warming occurred during the periods 1910 to 1949 and 1980 to 2004. Learn more about temperature.
There is a general trend of increasing precipitation in Ireland over a 40-year period, with notable increases since the 1970’s. Climate change is expected to cause an intensified hydrological cycle in Ireland, i.e. heavier rain over short periods. Learn more about precipitation.
Find out what you can do.
