Pandemic restrictions and a mix of less peat and more wind energy lead to reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions in 2020

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has published its provisional greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for 2020. These figures show a reduction in the emissions by 3.6% compared to 2019 - though this is significant, it is 0.4% less than the reduction seen in 2019. 

The Energy Industries sector saw significant emission reductions, due mainly to reductions in peat fuelled electricity generation and an increase in wind electricity generation. This reduction was despite a similar level of electricity demand in 2019, indicating the positive impact of a transition towards renewable energy for power generation emissions. The Lockdown measures put in place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant emissions reductions in the transport sector, but subsequently an increase was seen in the residential sector. 

Figures indicate that Ireland exceeded its 2020 annual EU emissions allocation by 6.7Mt, and cumulatively exceeded its allocation over the lifetime of the 7 year Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) by over 12Mt. Emissions covered under this ESD in 2020 had only decreased by 7% on the 2005 level, falling short of the overall target of a 20% reduction.

The EPA Director General, Laura Burke, commented on the figures: “The limited reduction in emissions during 2020, at a time of profound change to economic and social activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the scale of action needed across all parts of our economy and society to meet the 51% emissions reduction by 2030 set within the 2021 Climate Act. Urgent action is also necessary to avoid a growth in greenhouse gas emissions during post-COVID economic recovery.”

The overall reduction was driven by two factors: the reduced emissions intensity in electricity generation and decreased transport emissions as a result of the COVID lockdown measures. The main sectoral emissions trends are as follows:

• Energy - emissions decreased by 7.9%, mainly due to a 51% decrease in peat used in electricity generation. This builds on reductions seen in 2019, as a result of the phasing out of coal used in electricity generation; wind also played a bit part, increasing by 15.3% in 2020;
• Agriculture - emissions increased by 1.4%, and have increased by 12% over the last 10 years. 2020 increases are driven by increased fertiliser nitrogen use and increased numbers of livestock;
• Residential - greenhouse gas emissions increased by 9% as many people worked from home in lockdown measures. This impact was exacerbated by low fuel prices: coal, peat and kerosene all saw an increase in use, whilst natural gas saw a small decrease;
• Transport - greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 15.7%, driven by the impact of COVID restrictions on both the passenger car and public transport;
• International aviation - emissions to and from Ireland decreased by 65%. 

Commenting on the matter, EPA Senior Manager, Stephen Treacy said,  “The latest Inventory numbers show that the 2013-2020 EU Effort Sharing (ESD) target has been missed by a wide margin, with ESD emissions in 2020 just 7% per cent below the 2005 level, despite the COVID impact on 2020 emissions. In too many sectors, greenhouse gas emissions are still closely coupled with activity and output, a connection that will need to be broken in order for Ireland to meet the Climate Act target or the increased EU ‘fit for 55’ ambition.”

For more information, see the:

• Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.