Ireland’s carbon emissions have dropped 2.2% since last year but there is still “lots to do”. 

In its quarterly emissions update, the EPA found that carbon emissions were 306 kt lower in the first three months of 2024 and they were in the same period last year. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, EPA spokesperson Mary Frances Rochford said there the figures were part of a “welcome” trend. 

“We’re seeing significant reductions in the electricity emissions sector,” she said. 

“So, emissions were down by 16.7% - which is quite significant - and that was driven by a move [away] from fossil fuels and increased importation of electricity. 

“We also see that our agricultural emissions were down - just 2.6%.”

A man installing a rooftop solar panel array. Image: Radharc Images / Alamy

Despite this, in some sectors greenhouse gas emissions increased; transport emissions rose by 2.7% - driven by increased demand for petrol and diesel. 

Similarly, emissions from buildings rose due to increased demand for heating. 

Overall, Ms Rochford said Ireland “still has lots to do” if we are to reach net zero carbon emission.  

“We’re still travelling a lot more and we need to - where we can - get out of our cars and get into public transport,” she said. 

“Reduce our travel journeys, be more active in terms of walking and cycling where we don’t need to take a vehicle.” 

Net zero

Last year, Ireland’s carbon figures dropped by 6.8% - meaning emissions were at their lowest in three decades.

“We’ve a long way to go to the end of the year in relation to emissions,” Ms Rochford said. 

“What we are seeing is that there are policies that are in place, we’re seeing that they’re having an impact and we really have to stay with it and increase our efforts in this.” 

Under the Climate Action Plan 2021, the Government set a target of reducing carbon emissions by 51% by the end of the decade and reaching net zero by 2050.

Main image: Engineers climbing a wind turbine at offshore wind farm. Picture by: Alamy.com