EPA figures highlight rise in Ireland's gas emissions

Figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions are rising again, with the cement industry identified as the biggest single factor.

Annual emissions were up by 0.45% in 2004 on 2003. Latest figures show that, in 2004, greenhouse gas emissions were 23.5% higher than in 1990. The Kyoto Protocol requires that Ireland limits the growth in emissions to 13% above their 1990 level between 2008 and 2012.

EPA director general Dr Mary Kelly expressed disappointment that the reductions achieved in 2002 and 2003 had not continued. She said that there was a need to identify ways to reduce gas emissions.
"Ireland needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in each sector of the economy if we are to meet our Kyoto target. Opportunities for reduction on a sector-by-sector basis must be identified and measures put in place to deliver on them," he said.

Agriculture, energy and transport were the main contributors to emissions. The higher levels of emissions from the residential and transport sectors reflect increases in population, housing stock and road traffic.
The rise in emissions in the process sector follows earlier declines. Every tonne of conventional cement produced releases a tonne of carbon dioxide.

The figures remain provisional until March when they are to be submitted to the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.