Air pollution down as recession hits industry

THE RECESSION and reduced industrial production have cut air pollution and put Ireland on course to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments on gas emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency said compliance would be achieved through a decline in greenhouse gas emissions and the State fulfilling its commitment to buy “credits” for 8.25 million tonnes of carbon.

The purchase of credits is expected to cost the State €110 million. The Kyoto Protocol limits Ireland’s emissions to an average of 62.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the period 2008 to 2012. This is 13 per cent above the baseline 1990 estimate.

However, while the State is on target to achieve compliance before 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency said achieving more stringent EU targets for 2020 would be more difficult.

According to the agency, the sectors contributing mostly to greenhouse gas emissions remain agriculture, energy and transport.

While emissions from these sectors have fallen due to the economic downturn the agency predicted the State would still be 2.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year above the target for 2020.

The figures take into account a predicted economic recovery in line with ESRI forecasts but also a slowing in the rate of increase in transport emissions.

This was attributed to increased use of biofuels, efficient driving methods and electric vehicle penetration.

Nonetheless, the figures projected Ireland will still be some 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions higher in 2020 than the target for that year.

Environmental Protection Agency director general Dr Mary Kelly said the projections would see Ireland miss the 2020 target even “taking the most ambitious scenarios set out in Government policies”. Dr Kelly said the “clear message” was major challenges remain in achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gases.

The agency said additional policy measures to meet the 2020 targets would be required if Ireland was to meet the EU targets.