Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and industry down by 5.5 per cent in 2025
Date released: April 09, 2026
- In 2025, greenhouse gas emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) decreased by 5.5 per cent.
- Emissions decreased by 8.9 per cent from the electricity generation sector driven by cessation of coal use at Moneypoint, an increase in renewables and increased importation of electricity.
- Manufacturing industry emissions decreased by 2.5 per cent driven by a variety of factors including the use of alternative lower carbon fuels and a decrease in clinker production in the cement sector.
- In contrast, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, reported to Ireland, increased by just under 2 per cent compared to 2024, which reflects continued growth in this sector.
9 April 2026: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today released its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). In 2025, emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies decreased by 5.5 per cent (over 620,000 tonnes) to 10.67 million tonnes of CO2. This compares with a decrease of approximately 6.9 per cent across Europe, according to data released by the EU Commission.
The decrease in emissions from Ireland’s power generation and industry sectors in 2025 was driven by a combination of factors.
Power generation: The use of coal at ESB Moneypoint ceased in June 2025 which has led to a 49 per cent reduction in emissions from this station. On a national basis, there was a slight increase in renewable electricity (up by 1 per cent as a percentage of demand) and an increase in net imports of electricity from 14 per cent to 17 per cent as a percentage of demand.
Cement industries: There was a 3.6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from cement industries due to both a drop in production of cement clinker (a key component of cement) and an increase in alternative fuel use as the demand for less carbon intensive construction products has increased.
Commenting today, Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA Director General, said:
“The reduction in emissions from power generation and industrial activities covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) indicates progress in Ireland’s shift toward cleaner energy and more sustainable manufacturing. Since the establishment of EU ETS in 2005, there has been a decrease in emissions of over 52 per cent for the relevant sectors in Ireland which highlights the importance of this policy tool in driving decarbonisation.”
Aviation: Emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland increased by almost 2 per cent compared to 2024, to over 13.4 million tonnes. This is now well above the pre-pandemic levels of 12.8 million tonnes and reflects the ongoing growth of traffic in this sector. The use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) has increased since 2024 but there is scope for further uptake of these fuels.
Dr Maria Martin, EPA Senior Manager, said:
“There is a continued need for all sectors included in the EU ETS to play their part. While power generation and industry both recorded reductions in emissions, the dairy processing industries increased their emissions in 2025 suggesting that more work needs to be done to decouple growth in this sector from carbon emissions.”
Further details about Emissions Trading are available on the EU Commission’s website and on the EPA website. Further information about Ireland's overall greenhouse gas emissions and useful infographics and detailed greenhouse gas inventory are also available on the EPA website.
Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie
Notes to Editor
EU Emissions Trading System
The Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority for implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System in Ireland, including the administering of accounts on Ireland’s domain in the Union Registry. Eighteen aviation operators currently have confirmed reporting obligations to Ireland in the system, including five large, commercial airlines.
The EU Emissions Trading System covers large energy users and electricity generators; these are known as “stationary installations”. 117 major industrial and powergen sites reported their emissions for 2025 to the EPA by 31 March 2026, as required. These include sites operating in the power generation, cement, lime and oil refining sectors. Also included are large companies in sectors such as food & drink, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors. Two waste-to-energy companies (municipal waste incinerators) also reported their emissions but have no surrender obligations in the EU ETS.
Mobile sources in the form of large aircraft were first introduced into the EU ETS in 2012. Aviation emissions reported to Ireland come mainly from flights in and out of Ireland and flights anywhere within the European Economic Area (EEA) where the aircraft carrier has an operating licence from the Irish Aviation Authority or has been assigned to Ireland under the EU ETS.
Maritime transport has been included in the EU ETS since 2024 with eighteen shipping companies currently assigned to Ireland as the administering authority.
Additional sector changes in 2025:
- Emissions from the food and drink sector also showed a slight decrease in emissions overall but an increase of 3.6 per cent from the dairy processing plants.
- Emissions from the manufacturing and finishing of pharmaceuticals decreased by more than four per cent.
- Shipping companies assigned to report to Ireland under the EU ETS reported 0.4 million tonnes of CO2 to date. This is less than 2024 but EPA is following up with a number of companies who failed to meet the reporting deadline of 31 March, an issue seen across the EU in this sector.
Data from EU Commission is available on the public page of the Union Registry for EU ETS but shows some operators have not reported by 31 March 2026.
Data on the level of electricity imports is based on provisional data from Eirgrid.