Transport emissions rose during celtic tiger era - CSO

TRANSPORT WAS the worst-performing area in terms of the State’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the years of the celtic tiger, according to a new report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The report, Greenhouse Gas and Acid Rain Precursor Accounts for Ireland 1998 to 2007, found greenhouse gases from a range of sources, including industry and the combined sector of fuel power and water, largely peaked in about 2001.

Estimates of combined greenhouse gas emissions, defined as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, from agriculture fell consistently from 1998 to 2007, a factor attributed in part to fewer cattle.

Emissions from the residential and services sectors peaked in 2005. But the report estimated that the greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector rose by 163 per cent throughout the 10 years from 1988 to 2007.

Transport was also the “bad boy” of the class in terms of measurements of gases which have the potential to cause acid rain.

These gases, sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and ammonia, defined as “precursors” because of their potential to cause acid rain, declined by 33 per cent overall.

Precursors from the agricultural sector, which accounts for 60 per cent of current total precursors, fell by 17 per cent in the period.

Total emissions have also declined in virtually all other sectors of the economy.

However, the decline in the transport sector was halted, and levelled out in recent years.

Unlike comparatively straightforward measurements of air pollution undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Greenhouse Gas and Acid Rain Precursor Accounts attribute air emissions to sectors of economic activity.

According to the CSO, this makes it possible to assess the impact of greenhouse gas reduction strategies on economic activity.

For example, the statistics show that greenhouse gas emissions in the rubber and plastic production industry fell from a peak of 138,000 tonnes in the year 2000 to 94,000 tonnes in 2007. But the analysis also shows that the industry increased in value from €987.9 million to €1,228 million over the period.

A spokesman said the numbers of vehicles licensed between 1997 and 2007, which, according to a separate report, rose by more than 93,000, was “the underlying reason for much of the emissions from the transport sector”. The spokesman said it was clear that “transport was the bad boy” of the period.