Greenhouse gas emissions drop by almost 15 per cent

The figures estimate the 2010 Northern Ireland emissions at 20,460 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent; with 26 per cent from agriculture, 21 per cent from transport, 19 per cent from energy supply and 19% from the residential sector. This represents a reduction of almost 15 per cent since the base year; although, emissions have increased in the last year and are up almost four per cent on the 2009 figure. This increase is mostly attributable to consecutive cold winters and an increase in fossil fuel use as a consequence. The Programme for Government sets a target of a reduction of 35 per cent in greenhouse gas source emissions by 2025 from the base year.

The majority of the emission source sectors have seen a decreasing trend since the base year with power generation experiencing a 26% reduction in emissions and emissions from the residential sector decreasing by 13 per cent; this has mainly been due to the increased use of gas in power stations and in homes in Northern Ireland over recent years.

In contrast, transport emissions have increased by 26 per cent since the base year due to growth in transport demand and increased affordability of cars and fuel although, since peaking in 2007, there has been a reduction of just over seven per cent over the last three reported years.

UK greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by almost 24 per cent since the base year, with Wales and Northern Ireland having the lowest reduction of approximately 15 per cent. However, caution should be exercised when comparing the relative performance of individual countries due to the level of uncertainty around each individual estimate.

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, and accounted for 71.6% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland in 2010 (14,657 kt CO2e).

Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions account for 3.5% of the total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Within this however, Northern Ireland accounts for approximately seven per cent of both the UK’s methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (NO2) emissions. This is due to emissions from agriculture being much more significant in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.

The trends in greenhouse gas source emissions since the base year for the UK countries are summarised below, but it should be noted that estimates for the individual countries are less certain than the overall UK estimate:

UK has reduced emissions by 23.9 per cent

England has reduced emissions by 26.0 per cent

Scotland has reduced emissions by 23.7 per cent

Wales has reduced emissions by 15.0 per cent

Northern Ireland has reduced emissions by 14.7 per cent

The statistical bulletin can be accessed via DOEs website here.

The full report can be accessed through the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory website here.