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 present provisional 1990-2023 Inventory data (updated July 2024) and the EPA's latest 2023-2030 projections estimates (updated May 2024)
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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 decreased in 2023
Change in emissions since 2022
-6.8%Emissions decreases were driven by the reductions in the Electricity generation, Residential sector, Agriculture and Industry. The overall emissions reduction, while welcome, falls short of reductions required to achieve National and new EU targets.
Ireland’s latest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 1990-2023 are provisional figures based on the SEAI’s energy balance released in June 2024.
Latest emissions data
55.01 Mt CO2eqIreland’s GHG emissions are estimated to be 55.01 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2eq)
Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 2023 due to the reduction in coal, oil and peat use and an increase in renewable energy for electricity generation
Emissions mainly from electricity generation
-21.6%Decreases in coal 44.2%, oil 78.2% and natural gas 7.2% used in electricity generation in 2023
Residential/household sector was responsible for 9.7% of Ireland's GHG emissions in 2023
Residential emissions
-7.1%Compared to 2022, the reduction was driven by high fuel prices, a milder winter and a shift away from emission intensive fuel such as coal and peat, to oil and natural gas
Emissions increased by 0.3% in 2023 following a 6% increase in 2022
Transport
+0.3%At the end of 2023, there were almost 110,000 electric vehicles in Ireland, approximately 56% of the Climate Action Plan target for 2025.
Decreased emissions in 2023, driven by decreased nitrogen fertiliser use (-18% in 2023), dairy cows (+0.6%), other cattle (-1.1%) and sheep (-1.2%)
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 combined share of emissions
2.6%Emissions from Commercial Services and Public Services decreased by 2.5% and 2.7% respectively in 2023.
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 emissions decreased
-4.6%This sector was responsible for 7.5% of Ireland's total GHG emissions in 2023.
In 2023 the industrial processes sector was responsible for 3.9% and F-gases 1.3% of Ireland's total GHG emissions
Industrial processes
-5.8%Cement sector process emissions decreased by 6.5% in 2023 following a 7.4% decrease in 2022
Forest land, Cropland, Grassland, Wetlands, Settlements, Other land and Harvested Wood products are included in LULUCF
Data for 2023 shows that land use, land use change and forestry activity emit
5.6 Mt CO2eqThis sector is a net source of carbon in all years. A dedicated Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) publication summarising recent changes is in preparation.
The provisional estimates of greenhouse gas emissions indicate that Ireland exceeds its 2023 annual limit, without the use of flexibilities, set under the EU’s Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) by 2.27 Mt CO2eq.
Compliance with national target requires a reduction of
51%by 2030 compared to 2018. National total emissions (including LULUCF) for 2021 and 2022 and provisional 2023 have used 63.9% of the 295 Mt CO2eq Carbon Budget for the five-year period 2021-2025.
Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) accounted for 61.0% of the national total GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) of 55,606.6 kt CO₂ equivalent in 2023, with CH₄ and N₂O contributing 28.9% and 8.8%, respectively. The combined emissions of HFCs, PFCs, SF₆ and NF₃ accounted for 1.3% of total GHG emissions in 2022.
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 8.8% to the national total GHG emissions in 2023. The largest contributor to the trend is the Agriculture sector with 94.2% share of total N₂O emissions in 2023.
The combined emissions of HFCs, PFCs, SF₆ and NF₃ accounted for 1.3% of total GHG emissions in 2023. These are mainly attributed to refrigeration and air conditioning emissions.
This is the second EPA report in a new series of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland to support more frequent monitoring of national and sectoral progress on climate action. The series will complement the national greenhouse gas inventory and projections prepared annually by the EPA. Emissions in quarter 2 2024 were down by -4.1 per cent on the same quarter last year. This was mainly driven by declining emissions from electricity generation (-19.1 per cent), agriculture (-4.6 per cent) and industrial processes (-9.4 per cent). It should be noted that these data have been seasonally adjusted to provide a clearer picture of the underlying trends independent of seasonal fluctuations.
In Quarter 2 2024 overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by -4.1% (-583 kt CO₂ eq) compared to the same quarter last year (Quarter 2 2023) driven mainly by reductions in emissions from electricity generation (-19.1%), agriculture (-4.6%) and industrial processes (-9.4%).
The largest sectoral decrease in emissions in Quarter 2 2024 was observed in the electricity generation sector with a change of -19.1% (-375 kt CO₂ eq) due to reductions in coal, oil and gas use, and the amount of net imported electricity in increasing from 10.9% in Quarter 2 2023 to 18.1% of electricity supply in Quarter 2 2024.
The largest increase in emissions this quarter was observed in the Residential Buildings subsector at +16.7% (+278 kt CO₂ eq). Several factors contributed to this including increased energy demand for home heating due to 14.5% more heating degree days, in combination with a drop in gas prices of 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year.
The key driver for the -2.9% decrease in emissions attributed to the transport sector was decreased sales of diesel (-4.6%) and, despite an increase of 2.0% in the sales of petrol, the fraction by volume of biofuel in petrol has increased from 7.1% in Quarter 2 2023 to 9.1% in Quarter 2 2024.
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 urease inhibitor products are currently in the greenhouse gas and air pollutant inventories and projections?
Environmentally, there are two key benefits to using urease inhibited (or ‘stabilised’) fertiliser products:
As outlined in the international guidelines for national inventories and projections (FAQ: How are national inventories updated with the latest science?), research should be conducted at field scale, covering a range of soil types and environmental conditions so that efficacy of any particular product is demonstrated at field level under the conditions in which it will be used.
The following fertiliser products have met the criteria for inclusion as urease inhibitor products within the national greenhouse gas and air pollutant Inventories and Projections 1990-2022:
The most relevant national research demonstrating efficacy at field level (Forrestal et al. 2016 [1]; Harty et al., 2016 [2]; Roche et al., 2016 [3]) provide the evidence base for the inclusion of these products. 2NPT’s mode of action is similar to that of NBPT, however, to date it’s use in Ireland has been minor.
If/when information is provided on new products that meet the criteria specified these products will be added to the list above. The emission or abatement factor is applied from the time the product was placed on the Irish market and retrospectively across the time series in instances where a product has been on the market prior to provision of supporting evidence. In the absence of robust scientific evidence then the emission factor for straight urea is applied.
[1] https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12232
How are national inventories updated with the latest science?
The EPA incorporates the latest scientific information, including on new technologies, in the National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and Projections. This arises through the adoption of new international guidelines on inventory compilation and from national and international research.
In introducing new science and improvements to the inventories, the EPA follows the principles set out in the emission inventory guidelines set out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (greenhouse gas emissions)[1],[2] and European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme/European Environment Agency (air pollutants)[3]. Some of the key principles that the EPA follows include:
As part of both international reporting obligations and continuous improvement processes, Ireland’s national inventories are reviewed annually by both the EU and the UN. Recommendations arising from these reviews [4] allow the identification and prioritisation of national greenhouse gas and air pollutant emission research. Subsequently, research projects funded by both the EPA and other public bodies, with associated national and international technical committee participation by the EPA’s Emission Statistics Team, ensure the increasing robustness of emissions estimation.
[1] https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/pdf/1_Volume1/19R_V1_Ch02_DataCollection.pdf
[2] https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2019rf/pdf/1_Volume1/19R_V1_Ch04_MethodChoice.pdf
[3] https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/emep-eea-guidebook-2023/part-a-general-guidance-chapters
[4] Latest UNFCCC review report: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/transparency-and-reporting/reporting-and-review-under-the-convention/greenhouse-gas-inventories-annex-i-parties/inventory-review-reports-2022
What are greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and projections?
A greenhouse gas emission inventory is a compilation of historical greenhouse gas emissions from sources, such as transport, power generation, industry and agriculture, from 1990 to the most recent year for which data is available.
A greenhouse gas emission projection is an estimate of what emission levels are likely to be in the future. They are based on key assumptions such as economic growth, fuel prices and Government policy.
Essentially the inventory data provides a summary of past emissions whereas the projections attempt to estimate the emissions in the future.
National Emission Inventories; The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol provide the basis for international action to address climate change. Parties to the convention and its Kyoto Protocol are committed to developing and publishing the national emission inventories of greenhouse gases (GHGs) which is a key element of assessing progress towards meeting commitments and targets.
The EPA compiles Ireland's national greenhouse gas emission inventory on an annual basis. This inventory is submitted to the European Commission and UNFCCC each year by 15 January and 15 April respectively.
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).
Emissions are classified into the ten following sectors; agriculture, transport, energy industries, residential, manufacturing combustion, industrial processes, F-gases, waste, commercial services and public services.
What is Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2eq)?
Greenhouse gases other than CO2 (i.e. methane, nitrous oxide and F-gases) may be converted to CO2 equivalent using their global warming potentials (GWPs). The GWP of a gas is a measure of the cumulative warming over a specified time period usually 100 years, by a unit mass of this gas. This is expressed relative to carbon dioxide (CO2) which has a GWP of 1. 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 possible to sum up the emissions and contribution of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) to climate change and determine options to address climate change.
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.
