A statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland during the period 1990-2014 has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
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/articles/northern-ireland-greenhouse-gas-inventory
The estimates were produced by Ricardo Energy and Environment and Aether on behalf of the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The key points are:
In 2014, Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 20.3million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This was a decrease of 3.0% compared to 2013.
The longer term trend showed a decrease of 17.4% compared to the base year. The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for the fluorinated gases.
The largest sectors in terms of emissions in 2014 were agriculture (28%), transport (21%) and energy supply (19%).
Most sectors showed a decreasing trend since the base year. The largest decreases were in the energy supply, residential and waste sectors. They were driven by improvements in energy efficiency, fuel switching from coal to natural gas, which became available in the late 1990s, and the introduction of methane capture and oxidation systems in landfill management.
Northern Ireland accounted for 4.0% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2014.
In total, the UK reduced emissions by 36% between the base year and 2014. England and Scotland reduced emissions by 38% and 41%. Wales and Northern Ireland reduced emissions by 18% and 17%. Regional estimates are less certain than the UK estimate.
Further Information
The statistical bulletin containing more detail can be accessed via the DAERA website:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-greenhouse-gas-inventory
The full report can be accessed through the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory website:
http://naei.defra.gov.uk/reports/reports?report_id=894
