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Ireland’s power generation and industrial emissions decreased by seventeen per cent in 2023
- In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies covered by the EU Emissions Trading System decreased by 17 per cent.
- Emissions decreased by almost 24 per cent from the electricity generation sector.
- The decrease in industrial emissions was over six per cent, with cement industry emissions decreasing by 6.2 per cent mainly due to lower production levels.
- In contrast, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation increased by more than nine per cent compared to 2022, which reflects continued growth in this sector.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), last week released its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 from the Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector. Emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies decreased by 17 per cent (more than 2.4 million tonnes) in 2023 to 12.19 million tonnes of CO2. This compares with a decrease of approximately 15.5 per cent across Europe, according to data published by the EU Commission.
Ireland’s ETS sector delivered a decrease in emissions in 2023 due to a combination of factors, including an increase in imports of electricity, the use of renewable electricity and renewable fuels as well as a decrease in cement production.
The electricity sector used less coal generation compared to the previous year, with increased use of wind and solar powered electricity. This is the second year that a drop in emissions from Moneypoint is observed, but fossil-fired power stations continue to play a strong role in meeting a high electricity demand. Importation of electricity from other countries outside the EU will require a carbon price to be paid in the longer term under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism unless there is a linking agreement with the ETS in the exporting country.
Aviation emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland by 31 March increased by over nine per cent compared to 2022, to over 11 million tonnes. This is still lower than the pre-pandemic levels of 12.8 million tonnes, nevertheless, the emissions data for 2023 reflect the ongoing growth of traffic in this sector and the need to put a series of measures in place to reduce air traffic emissions. The revised ETS Directive published in 2023, allows aircraft operators to claim free allocation where they can show that they have used Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
