The EPA’s role in addressing climate change challenges includes collating national greenhouse gas emissions and projections; regulating emissions from industrial sectors; supporting climate science research; supporting behavioural change and facilitating the National Dialogue on Climate Action. Note: These pages were updated with the final 1990-2021 inventory data in April 2023 and latest 2021-2030 projections estimates in June 2022.
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Remember:
“EVERY BIT OF WARMING MATTERS. EVERY YEAR MATTERS.
EVERY CHOICE MATTERS”
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Ireland increased in 2021
Change in emissions since 2020
+5.2%Emissions increases were driven by the partial lifting of COVID restrictions on transport highlighting that Ireland is still not on the pathway required to meet future targets and a climate neutral economy.
Ireland’s latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 1990-2021 are final figures based on the SEAI’s energy balance released in October 2022.
Latest emissions data
62.11 Mt CO2eqIreland’s GHG emissions are estimated to be 62.11 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2eq)
Greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2021 due to an increase in coal use and a decrease in renewable energy for electricity generation
Residential/household sector was responsible for 11.14% of Ireland's GHG emissions in 2021
Residential emissions
-6.0%Compared to 2020, less homeworking due to the partial lifting of COVID restrictions, warmer winter and increased fuel switching from coal and peat, to oil and natural gas
Emissions increased by 6.7% in 2021 due to partial lifting of COVID restrictions
Transport
+6.7%Electric vehicles have nearly doubled in 2021 but still account for less than 2% of the fleet
Increased emissions in 2021, driven by increased nitrogen fertiliser use (+5.2% in 2021) and increased numbers of dairy cows (+2.8%)
The Commercial/Public services sector estimates emissions from fuel combustion for space and hot water heating in commercial and public buildings in Ireland.
Commercial/Public share
2.4%COVID restrictions had little impact on commercial or public services sectors
Emissions from combustion of fuels in manufacturing industry. It also includes combustion for combined heat and power for own use in these industries.
Manufacturing combustion
+2.5%This sector was responsible for 7.4% of Ireland's total GHG emissions in 2021
In 2021 the industrial processes sector was responsible for 4.0% and F-gases 1.2% of Ireland's total GHG emissions
Forest land, Cropland, Grassland, Wetlands, Settlements, Other land and Harvested Wood products are included in LULUCF
Latest inventory data for 2021 shows that land use, land use change and forestry activity emit
7.3 Mt CO2eqThis sector is a net source of carbon in all years.
The final estimates of greenhouse gas emissions indicate that Ireland exceeds its 2021 annual limit, without the use of flexibilities, set under the EU’s Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) by 3.29 Mt CO2eq.
Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) accounted for 60.5% of the national total GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) of 62,109.9 kt CO₂ equivalent in 2021, with CH₄ and N₂O contributing 28.4% and 9.9%, respectively. The combined emissions of HFCs, PFCs, SF₆ and NF₃ accounted for 1.2% of total GHG emissions in 2021.
Carbon dioxide CO₂ is the most significant contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions of CO₂ are primarily due to combustion of fossil fuels in all sectors.
Methane (CH₄) is the second most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland and is primarily due to the agriculture sector and a the large animal population with a smaller contribution from the waste sector.
Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions contribute 9.9% to the national total GHG emissions in 2021. The largest contributor to the trend is the Agriculture sector with 93.6% share of total N₂O emissions in 2021.
The combined emissions of HFCs, PFCs, SF₆ and NF₃ accounted for 1.2% of total GHG emissions in 2021. These are mainly attributed to refrigeration and air conditioning emissions.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol provide the basis for international action to address climate change. The objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system. The ability of the international community to achieve this objective is dependent on an accurate knowledge of emissions trends, and on our collective ability to alter these trends. Reliable GHG inventories are essential, both at national and international level. Parties to the convention and its Kyoto Protocol are committed to developing and publishing the national emission inventories of GHGs which is a key element of assessing progress towards meeting commitments and targets.
The EPA has overall responsibility for the national greenhouse gas inventory in Ireland's national system and compiles Ireland's national greenhouse gas emission inventory on an annual basis.
Emissions data for the following gases is reported on an annual basis: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perflurocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).
The National Climate Change Strategy (2007) designated the EPA with responsibility for developing national emission projections for greenhouse gases for all key sectors of the economy. Emission projections serve to inform national policy initiatives and allow Ireland to comply with EU and UN reporting obligations on emissions projections. The EPA produces national greenhouse gas emission projections on an annual basis.
Popular FAQs
What do WEM and WAM scenarios in emissions projections mean?
The WEM scenario is a projection of future emissions based on the measures currently implemented and actions committed to by Government. To become part of the WEM scenario a policy or measure must be in place by the end of 2021 (the latest inventory year) and the projected emissions reduction is commensurate with the resources or legislation already in place or committed to Government Departments or Agencies. For example, the WEM scenario includes a measure where the Carbon tax increases annually and reaches €100 per tonne by 2030. This policy is considered to be implemented because annual Carbon tax increases have been committed to in legislation (Finance Act 2020).
The WAM scenario is the projection of future emissions based on the measures outlined in the latest Government plans at the time Projections are compiled. This includes all policies and measures included in the WEM scenario, plus those included in government plans but not yet implemented. For example, the WAM scenario includes the target of 945,000 Electric Vehicles on the road by 2030 in the Climate Action Plan 2023. The full amount of this ambition is not currently in the With Existing Measures scenario as actions still remain to be taken that would deliver it.
Further information on the policies and measures for the individual sectors that are included in both With Existing Measures and With Additional Measures scenarios in the latest emissions projections is available in Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2022-2040.
What F-gases are in greenhouse gas inventories and projections?
These gases comprise HFCs (hydroflurocarbons), PFCs (perfluorcarbons), SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride) and NF3 (nitrogen trifluoride). They are much more potent than the naturally occurring greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide).
Global warming potential of greenhouse gases in the inventories and projections;
Carbon dioxide (CO2) GWP = 1
Methane (CH4) GWP = 28
Nitrous oxide (N2O) GWP = 265
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) GWP = 4 to 12,400
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) GWP = 6630 to >17,400
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) GWP = 23,500
Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) GWP = 16,100
The mass emission of any gas multiplied by its GWP gives the equivalent emission of the gas as carbon dioxide. This is known as CO2 equivalent. This makes it easier to sum up the emissions and contribution of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) to climate change and determine options to address climate change.
What do these maps depict?
The maps depict estimates of the percentage of adult residents of Ireland (age 18 and over) who hold particular beliefs, attitudes, and policy preferences about climate change. The estimates were generated from a statistical model that incorporates actual survey responses but combines these responses with demographic data from the Ireland Central Statistics Office (CSO) (Census 2016 Reports - CSO - Central Statistics Office) to estimate opinions for different groups of people based on information such as their gender, age, and county of residence.
Where do the survey data underlying the estimates come from?
The data underlying the maps come from a large national survey dataset (4,000 respondents) collected during May through July of 2021 as part of a collaboration between the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC). Reports using the individual-level survey data are available here:
What does the grey colour mean on some of the bars beneath the maps?
The grey area reflects people who provided valid responses such as refusal to answer a question, saying they “Don’t know,” or gave an answer that was not modeled (e.g., “Currently doing the right amount”). We do not provide specific values for the grey areas because we did not develop estimates for these particular responses.
