Key messages
Note: These pages present final 1990-2024 Inventory data (updated March 2026) and the EPA's latest 2025-2030 projections estimates (updated May 2026)
Agriculture emissions decreased by 1.3% in 2024 (0.27 Mt CO2eq) primarily due to a 2.9% reduction in cattle herd and despite a 10.6% increase in nitrogen fertiliser use. Livestock numbers decreased in general; non-dairy cattle by 2.5%, sheep by 8.0%. Dairy cow numbers decreased by 1.7%; however, milk output per cow increased by 1.3% and overall production was reduced by 0.4%.
Energy Industry emissions decreased for the third consecutive year by 8.8% (0.69 Mt CO2eq) in 2024. Electricity supply from renewables grew by 1.6% in 2024 but, due to increased demand, the share in renewable energy generation decreased slightly from 41.0% in 2023 to 40.0% in 2024. Imported electricity was 13.9% of electricity supply in 2024 compared to 9.4% in 2023. The emissions intensity of power generation decreased from 253 g CO2/kWh in 2023 to a historic low of 224 g CO2/kWh in 2024.
Residential emissions (households) increased by 4.8% (0.25 Mt CO₂eq) in 2024 after two consecutive years of all-time lows. Residential usage of peat declined by 8.6% on 2023, while the consumption of all other fossil fuels increased. This can be attributed to 2024 having 6.3% more heating degree days than 2023.
Transport emissions decreased by 1.3% in 2023 (0.15 Mt CO2eq), the first post-COVID decrease in emissions in this sector, having increased by over 6% in both 2021 and 2022, and 0.4% in 2023. In 2024, the 16.8% increase in use of biofuels contributed to the majority of this emission reduction. In addition, the increasing number of electric vehicles on Irish roads curtailed emissions growth that might otherwise have resulted from a growing workforce and 4.3% increase in the national vehicle fleet.
Ireland's projected emissions 2025-2030
(Latest update May 2026)
Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions could achieve a reduction of up to 25% by 2030, compared to a national target of 51%, with full implementation of a wide range of policies and plans across all sectors. Assessment of the latest information provided by Governmental bodies and sector representatives indicates that the gap to target is widening in some sectors of the economy, while narrowing in others.
Budget period 1 (2021-2025) of 295 Mt CO2eq is projected to be largely met, but nearly all sectors are on track to exceed their sectoral emissions ceilings for the second carbon budget by 2030. The second budget is projected to be exceeded by a significant margin of 53 to 81 Mt CO2eq.
By 2030, Agriculture and Transport are projected to remain the two largest contributing sectors to Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
Ireland is projected to exceed its EU Effort Sharing Regulation target of 42% reduction by 2030, achieving a reduction of 13% to 23% on 2005 levels by 2030.
With less than four years left to 2030, there must be a strong focus on implementation of policies and measures to meet climate targets which will deliver wide-ranging benefits from environmental protection, supporting public health and wellbeing and reducing Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Further information is available at the EPA's latest report Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections