Ireland’s 2004 European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER) Report

Summary: The European Pollutant Emission Register, EPER, aims to provide an easily publicly accessible, consistent and comprehensive overview of emissions to the environment around Europe

Executive summary

The EPA released the Irish Pollutant Emission Register for 2004 on 22 November 2006. Figures reveal a number of highly positive trends with significant decreases in the emission of several pollutants from industrial and waste facilities. The register also details the emissions from a number of large /complex facilities that are reporting for the first time.

Between 2001 and 2004:

• Sulphur Dioxide fell by 43 per cent.
• Nitrogen Dioxide fell by 8 per cent.
• Methane fell by 30 per cent.

The Register is a compilation of data on 50 pollutants emitted by 183 EPA licensed facilities nationwide. It contributes to the European Pollutant Emission Register (EPER), as set out in EU legislation. The Register of pollutants released shows significant improvement in the levels of emissions since 2001. These changes are due to a combination of factors: the effectiveness of environmental regulation, better treatment of emissions and changes in the types of facilities reporting.

While Ireland’s national carbon dioxide emissions in 2004 were three per cent down on the 2001 levels, reaching 45,266 tonnes in 2004, carbon dioxide emissions from large/complex industry reporting for this register dropped by more than 14% between 2001 and 2004. Carbon Dioxide emissions from industries reporting to the register represent 45% of the national total. The register also indicates that. sulphur dioxide and methane emissions dropped by 43% and 30% respectively.