Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Inventory Released

Publication of Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Inventory: 1990 – 2009 Northern Ireland greenhouse gas emissions are down by over 20% since 1990. The latest emission figures published today in the Devolved Administrations Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 1990 – 2009, estimates the 2009 Northern Ireland emissions at 19,508 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This represents a reduction of just over 20% since the base year with over one third of the reduction being achieved in the latest inventory year. The Programme for Government sets a target of a reduction of 25% 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 notable 24% reduction in emissions in the latest inventory year alone. This was mainly because coal fired generation had fallen by a third in 2009 as a result of a reduction in overall electricity demand and an increase in electricity imported from Scotland. [caption id="attachment_27741" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Greenhouse gases are down in Northern Ireland."][/caption] In contrast, transport emissions have increased by almost 28% since the base year although, since a peak in 2007, there has been a reduction of just over 5% over the last two reported years. Although emissions are over 20% lower than the base year, Northern Ireland has the lowest level of reduction amongst the countries of the UK with Scotland experiencing the largest reduction, approaching 31%, over the same period. However, caution should be exercised when comparing the relative performance of individual countries due to the level of uncertainty around each individual estimate. Other key points: *  Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, and accounted for 69.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland in 2009 (13,561 kt CO2e). *  In 2009, the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions were agriculture (26.6%), transport (21.8%), energy supply (18.8%), and residential combustion (17.5%). *  Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions account for 3.5% of the total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Within this however, Northern Ireland accounts for more than 7% 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 28.3%. *  England has reduced emissions by 29.5%. *  Scotland has reduced emissions by 30.5%. *  Wales has reduced emissions by 23.3%. *  Northern Ireland has reduced emissions by 20.3 %.]]>