Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4.5% in 2019. This is the largest annual reduction in emissions since 2011.
Despite the decrease, Ireland is still not on the pathway required to meet future targets and a climate neutral economy.
Energy Industries emissions decreased by 11% with a significant decrease in coal (69%) and peat (8%) used.
Agriculture emissions decreased by 3.9%, driven by reduced fertiliser use and lime use on soils.
Residential emissions reduced by 7.3 %, largely the result of a warmer winter.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector reduced only marginally despite an increase in biofuel use.
Full details on Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory 1990 to 2019 are available on the EPA website HERE and the EPA Greenhouse Gas web resource HERE.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the competent authority for reporting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, has yesterday published its provisional greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for 2019. The figures show a reduction of 4.5% compared to 2018, which is the largest decrease since 2011. Significant emission reductions are recorded for the Energy Industries, Agriculture and Residential sectors. These decreases come despite modest growth in the domestic economy of 1.7% over the year.
However, the figures indicate that Ireland will exceed its 2019 annual EU emissions allocation by 6.98Mt which makes it highly unlikely that Ireland will meet its overall 2020 targets, even taking the impact of Covid 19 on emissions in 2020 into account.
Commenting on the figures Laura Burke, (Director General, EPA) has stated:
“This much needed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a welcome step in the right direction. The figures show that emissions reductions can be achieved and in 2019 there have been reductions in power generation, agriculture and residential sectors. However, if the 2020s are to be the decade of climate action, this level of emission reductions, at a minimum, will be required annually. Therefore, these reductions need to be built on to achieve continual, substantial, year-on-year emissions reductions. It will take the implementation of effective measures, including all those committed to in the Climate Action Plan, to put Ireland on the pathway to a climate neutral future”.
The emission reductions have been driven by a number of factors across the sectors including:
Energy Industries: Emissions in the Energy Industries sector showed a decrease of 11.2% (1.19 Mt CO2eq) in 2019, which is attributable to a 69% decrease in coal and an 8% decrease in peat used in electricity generation. Electricity generated from wind increased by 16.0% in 2019, with renewables accounting for 37.6% of electricity generated. After 2020, a continued increase in renewable generation levels will be required to meet ambitious future greenhouse gas targets.
Agriculture: Agriculture emissions decreased by 3.9% (0.86 Mt CO2eq) in 2019. This was driven by reduced fertiliser use (down 10.1%) and a reduction in the quantity of lime used on soils (down 25.4%), which had both increased substantially the previous year. Other key drivers of emissions in agriculture, such as the number of dairy cows, continued to rise.
Residential: Emissions in the Residential sector decreased by 7.3% (0.52 Mt of CO2eq) in 2019 with the warmer winter resulting in decreased use of fuels. However, emissions per household have plateaued in recent years which indicates a need to step up energy efficiency retrofit activity to achieve future emission reduction commitments.
Transport: Greenhouse gas emissions from the Transport sector decreased slightly, by 0.3% (0.04 Mt CO2eq), in 2019. An increased demand for transport largely offset more biofuel use which was up 21.9% in 2019. Reducing transport emissions requires a blend of measures such as more cycling and walking as well as new technologies such as electric vehicles and biofuels.
Commenting, Stephen Treacy, (Senior Manager, EPA) has stated:
“These 2019 figures illustrate where our economy and emissions were heading before the COVID-19 pandemic. While, 2020 is likely to see a reduction in emissions caused by the impact of the pandemic, this does not negate the need for long term and sustained action. Focusing on climate action as part of a ‘green’ recovery offers the opportunity to respond to climate change while rebuilding our economy and generating new jobs.”
6 further killer Covid-19 virus cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary
The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have been sadly 4 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 2,010.
There are 429 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 69,473.
Of this evening’s confirmed cases; 19 are located in Co. Tipperary(Total 1,415 cases to date, per RTE summary); 173 in Dublin; 44 in Cork; 26 in Donegal; 22 in Louth; 21 in Kildare; with the remaining 137 cases located across the remaining 19 counties.
Other Covid-19 related news Mr Simon Harris (Minister for Further and Higher Education) has announced a once-off Covid-19 payment scheme for third-level students. This once-off payment will ensure students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up to their grant before Christmas. Funding for this scheme, worth €50m, had previously been announced as part of Budget 2021.
This evening there are 290 patients with coronavirus in Irish hospitals with 33 people of those in intensive care units, (ICU’s).
Gardaí have agreed to increase patrols as and from today, with a focus on people gathering in large groups in public spaces. Up to this date there have been 493 Covid-19 related prosecutions.
Officials within the Department of Agriculture have informed the owners of three mink farms in Ireland that their animals are to be culled to halt the potential spread of a mutated form of the Covid-19. A variation of the current virus was already detected in mink on a farm in Denmark and authorities globally are concerned if this mutated virus was to spread it could severely impact on the effectiveness of future vaccines.
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland have announced that a further 12 people have sadly died from Covid-19 virus. An additional 487 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Northern Ireland to 48,716.
Total global cases this evening, now stand at well over 56.5 million [Global Cases – 56,561,918] with global deaths at well over 1.3 million [Global Deaths – 1,354,780].
19 further killer Covid-19 virus cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary
The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have been sadly 12 further deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 2,006.
There are 379 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 69,058.
Of this evening’s confirmed cases; 19 are located in Co. Tipperary (Total 1,409 cases to date, per RTE summary); 116 in Dublin; 38 in Donegal; 30 in Meath; 27 in Cork; 22 in Limerick; 22 in Louth; with the remaining 124 cases located across all other counties.
Other Covid-19 news The current number of staff at Limerick’s hospital group; the medical facility serving North Tipperary, who are now absent from work, self-isolating as a result of a Covid-19 infection outbreaks, has risen to 221, up from 161 last week.
However, according to public health data published just today, there has been a marked fall in the number of Covid-19 outbreaks recorded in our educational facilities. For this reason alone calls by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland for serious consideration to be given to closing schools on Friday 18th December, instead of Tuesday 22nd December, are most likely to fall on deaf ears within the Dept. of Education.
Meanwhile, people are being urged to observe fully the public health guidelines regarding funerals, as concern have been raised about recent associated outbreaks of the Covid-19 virus.
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland have announced that a further 9 people have sadly died from Covid-19 virus. An additional 549 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Northern Ireland to 47,711.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have stated that activities involving dining, drinking, exercising, singing or shouting, together with prolonged face-to-face conversation, especially in indoor crowded environments, were associated with an increased risk of transmission of the virus in several of their studies.
Pfizer Inc with their German partner BioNTech, have stated that final results from the late-stage trial of its Covid-19 vaccine indicates it has been 95% effective, adding it has had the required two months of safety data and would be applying for emergency US authorisation within a matter of days.
Total global cases this evening, now stand at almost 56 million [Global Cases – 55,784,525] with global deaths at well over 1.3 million [Global Deaths – 1,341,360].
28 further killer Covid-19 virus cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary
The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have been sadly 11 further death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 1,995.
There are 366 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 68,686.
Of this evening’s confirmed cases; 28 are located in Co. Tipperary (Total 1,390 cases to date, per RTE summary); 84 in Dublin; 44 in Limerick; 34 in Cork; 34 in Donegal; 24 in Roscommon with the remaining 118 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
Other Covid-19 news Currently, there are 272 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded nationally in our Irish State hospitals, with 34 of these patients in intensive care units, (ICU’s).
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland have announced that a further 9 people have sadly died from Covid-19 virus. An additional 549 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Northern Ireland to 47,711.
A proposal to halt and to fine individuals who gather outdoors in large groups to drink alcohol was withdrawn today by the Government. The proposal was in response to crowds who gathered in the larger cities of Cork and Dublin last weekend.
Total global cases this evening, now stand at well over 55.2 million [Global Cases – 55,243,538] with global deaths at well over 1.33 million [Global Deaths – 1,330,930].
NPHET warn that Irish people may be taking their eye off the ball, with regard to the virus pandemic.
2 further killer Covid-19 virus cases confirmed in Co. Tipperary
The Department of Health have confirmed this evening that there have been sadly 5 further death caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll, here in the Republic of Ireland, remaining at 1,984.
There are 456 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 68,356.
Of this evening’s confirmed cases; 2 are located in Co. Tipperary(Total 1,362 cases to date, per RTE summary); 105 in Dublin; 85 in Limerick; 43 in Cork; 38 in Meath; 25 in Clare; with the remaining 158 cases located across all other counties.
Other COVID-19 News: Two Covid-19 testing facilities are expected to open in Dublin Airport on Thursday, courtesy of privately run centres which will offer passenger drive-through or walk-in tests. Charges will range upwards from €99.00.
Barbecue Rib producers, RibWorld, located at Killenaule Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary, have confirmed that following routine testing by the HSE in their Fethard plant, a number of workers have tested positive for coronavirus. These workers and those identified as having been in close contact, currently remain in self isolation. The production facility continues to operate the business as normal, while working closely with relevant health authorities.
The US biotechnology company Moderna, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, claims its experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial, with the majority of adverse events either mild or moderate in severity. This becomes the second US company in the past 7 days to report results that far exceed all expectations in the fight against the coronavirus.
Following social media footage showing large gatherings of people in Dublin & Cork city drinking on the street, discussions within Government are taking place amid indications that a clampdown on pubs selling takeaway drinks could now be introduced.
Currently, there are 274 confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded nationally in our Irish State hospitals, with 33 of these patients in intensive care units, (ICU’s).
The Department of Health in Northern Ireland have announced that a further 14 people have sadly died from Covid-19 virus. An additional 331 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Northern Ireland to 47,162.
Total global cases this evening, now stand at well over 54.6 million [Global Cases – 54,615,099] with global deaths at well over 1.32 million [Global Deaths – 1,320,742].
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