Thurles Information

Ireland’s 2020 greenhouse gas emissions estimated almost 6% lower due to the pandemic

Short term emissions reductions due to the Covid 19 pandemic do not negate the need for targeted and sustained action across all sectors

• Early estimates of 2020 greenhouse gas emissions indicate a significant impact of COVID-19.
• Emissions from the transport sector are estimated to be over 2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2eq) lower than last year, a fall of almost 17%.
• Residential sector emissions (mainly home heating) are estimated to have increased by 9% (0.6 Mt CO2eq) in 2020 as many people have been working extensively from home.
• Emissions from the energy industries sector are estimated to be 14% lower (1.3 Mt CO2eq less) than in 2019. This was most significantly due to substituting coal and peat use with renewable energy in power generation, with the pandemic measures playing a smaller part.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) have jointly released an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020. The estimates show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of almost 6% in 2020 compared to 2019. The estimates are based on monthly indicator data, allowing for earlier estimation – compared to the more comprehensive annual data used by the EPA to produce Ireland’s GHG Inventory.

There were significant changes in energy-related emissions, particularly transport and residential sector emissions, as a result of new living and work practices brought about by Covid-19. The overall reduction is comparable to that seen following the global financial crisis. However, the economic rebound from the Covid- 19 crisis is estimated to bring emissions back to previous levels, unless additional action is taken.

Commenting on the figures Ms Laura Burke, (Director General, EPA) stated:

“We are at a pivotal point for our economy, and the recovery steps we take now will shape Ireland for the next decade. While these early estimates show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 as a result of Covid restrictions, this level of emission reductions, at a minimum, will be required annually.
Ireland needs a ‘green recovery’ to rebuild our economy, generate new jobs and respond to climate change. As we emerge from the global pandemic, a ‘green’ stimulus and implementation of ambitious policies and measures can deliver Ireland’s current and future commitments to a climate-neutral economy and climate-resilient society by 2050.
The emissions reductions in 2020 must be built on to achieve continual, substantial, year-on-year reductions, making the 2020’s the decade of climate action.”

Commenting, Mr William Walsh, (CEO, SEAI) stated:

“The Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan are very clear on the scale of ambition necessary to achieve Ireland’s clean energy transition. This will require a national conversation to find solutions and innovate, changing way we live, work and rebuild our economy to give us a chance of achieving our collective mission.
The investment needed in all sectors to address the climate crisis provides tremendous opportunities for warmer and cheaper to run homes and businesses, a growth in green jobs in Ireland, cleaner air in our towns and cities and more open spaces for us all to enjoy.
Climate action has to be a national priority at all levels of society, led by Government, and supported by businesses, communities and individuals all working together. The public health emergency has made us all think about what’s important. I hope that, in time, people can find that same connection and resolve when it comes to taking climate action.”

Full detail on the 2020 estimates is available on the EPA and SEAI websites.

Advice from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, ” Every individual in Ireland should consider themselves potentially infectious”.

The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have sadly been 11 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 2,248.

There are 1,754 new additional virus cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 93,532.

Once again the lowest 14-day incidence rates per 100,000 of population nationally are in Co. Tipperary (138.5), Leitrim (143.6) and Wicklow (154.5) however these too are rising; while the national incidence rate stands at 321.3.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, has stated: “The most concerning trend at present is the rapidly increasing number of people being admitted to hospital. We are now admitting between 50 – 70 people each day to our present hospital system”.

Further data relevant up to midnight on Wednesday, December 30th last confirms that Tipperary has had 1,867 cases of the virus to date.

There are now 504 patients with Covid-19 in hospital in the Republic, with 46 patients in intensive care units.

Total global cases up to 5.30pm this evening, now stand at over 83.7 million, with global deaths at well over 1.82 million.

Remember: “Only YOU can stop the chain of transmission.”

Some 5,000 years ago Irish people were involved in the building of gigantic structures with complex astronomical alignments. One such building is the Stone Age (Neolithic) passage tomb at Newgrange, located in the Boyne Valley, County Meath, between Slane and Drogheda. One of a network of such monuments, same can be found in an area of County Meath known as ‘Brú na Bóinne’, [Translated – “The bend in the Boyne”.].

Built around 3,200 B.C. Newgrange is at least 1,000 years older than Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England and the limestone granite Great Pyramids of Giza, latter bordering Cairo, in Egypt.

The passage tomb at Newgrange consists of a mound, roughly circular in shape and measuring 85 metres in diameter. It is surrounded by kerbstones, some of which bear carved decorations, with the most highly decorated being the entrance stone itself.

The most remarkable feature of Newgrange is undoubtedly the roof box [See start of video hereunder] which demonstrates that the people of prehistoric Ireland, responsible for its construction, had a deep understanding of the movements of the stars and the alignment of our planets. Same allows for the dawn light to enter the passage tomb, lighting up the entire passage and chamber on the morning of the Winter Solstice (December 21st).

The Office of Public Works’ annual Winter Solstice gathering at the Neolithic Passage Tomb of Newgrange tomorrow (December 21st 2020) has been cancelled this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic.

However, this significant Solstice Sunrise event will be live-streamed from within the Chamber on 20th, 21st and 22nd of December, so that those who wish will be able to experience this wonderful phenomenon from any location around the world.

The live stream will be available from 8.45 Coordinated Universal Time, today Sunday December 20th, 2020, and can be viewed from HERE.