Northern Ireland greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2016 statistical bulletin released.
A statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland during the period 1990-2016 has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The statistical bulletin outlines key Northern Ireland figures from the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is available at:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/
The estimates were produced by Ricardo Energy and Environment on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The key points are:
*  In 2016, Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 20.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This was an increase of 1.3% compared to 2015.
*Â Â The longer term trend showed a decrease of 15.9% compared to the base year. The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for the fluorinated gases.
*Â Â The largest sectors in terms of emissions in 2016 were agriculture (27%), transport (22%) and energy supply (20%). Most sectors showed a decreasing trend since the base year. The largest decreases, in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, were in the energy supply, residential and waste sectors. These were driven by improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching from coal to natural gas, which only became available in the late 1990s, and the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management.
*Â Â Northern Ireland accounted for 4.4% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2016. In total, the UK reduced emissions by 41% between the base year and 2016. England and Scotland reduced emissions by 45% and 51%. Wales and Northern Ireland reduced emissions by 14% and 16% respectively. Regional estimates are less certain than the UK estimate.
*Â Â Further information – the statistical bulletin containing more detail can be accessed via the DAERA website:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/
