Ireland not on track to achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets, EPA warns

Ireland is not on track to meet its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets. EPA projections for 2025–2055 show a gap between achievable emissions reductions and the legally binding 51% reduction target. In a best-case scenario, emissions could fall by up to 25% by 2030 if all climate policies and plans are implemented. The gap to target is widening in some sectors and narrowing in others. Transport, industry, and commercial and public buildings are projected to be furthest from meeting 2030 emission ceilings. Agriculture emissions are projected to reduce by up to 19%. Emissions are near the first carbon budget but nearly all sectors are projected to exceed ceilings for the second carbon budget by 2030. Overall maximum reduction is projected at 23%, despite exceeding the EU Effort Sharing Regulation target of 42%.

"Ireland is not on track to achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets, according to the latest analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In a best-case scenario, the latest greenhouse gas emissions projections from the EPA find emissions could fall by up to 25pc by 2030, if all climate policies and plans are implemented. The EPA's greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) projections for the period 2025-2055 highlight the gap between what is currently achievable and Ireland's legally binding emissions-reduction target of 51pc."

"An assessment of the latest information provided by governmental bodies and sector representatives indicates the gap to target is widening in some sectors of the economy, while narrowing in others. Transport, industry and the buildings (commercial and public) sectors are projected to be the furthest from achieving their emission ceilings in 2030. Significantly, agriculture emissions are projected to reduce by up to 19pc."

"While Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions are projected to be close to meeting the first carbon budget (2021-2025) of 295 metric tonnes of CO2, nearly all sectors are on track to exceed their emissions ceilings for the second carbon budget by 2030. More positively, Ireland is projected to exceed its EU Effort Sharing Regulation target of 42pc reduction by 2030. However, overall the EPA projects a maximum reduction of 23pc."

"“The EPA's projections show that the current rate of delivery of the Climate Action Plan and associated policies could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25pc by 2030 - only half of the reductions needed,” she said. “While greenhouse gas emissions are declining, European and national emission reduction targets are projected to be missed. There must be a renewed focus on delivering the actions to me"

Read at Irish Independent