07/06/2013

NI Gas Emissions Fall 5%

Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by over 5% between 2010 and 2011, according to the latest figures.

A new report, Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1990-2011, has been published today, indicating Northern Ireland’s 2011 emissions are estimated at 19,827 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

This shows a fall of over 5% compared to 2010.

The Department of the Environment says the decline is due mostly to a reduction in burning oil use in the residential and business sectors after the exceptionally cold weather in 2010, as well as a reduction in emissions from coal consumption at power stations.

The 2011 emission levels also show a longer-term decrease of over 17% since the base year, 1990.

The largest sources of emissions in 2011 were agriculture (28%), transport (21%), energy supply (19%) and residential (16%).

Most emission source sectors have seen a general trend of declination since the base year, with energy supply experiencing a 30% reduction and residential sector emissions decreasing by 25%.

The DoE says this is mostly down to the increased use of gas in power stations and residential properties over the years.

However, transport emissions have increased by 25% since the base year due to growth in transport demand.

Despite this, since peaking in 2007 there has been a reduction in transport emissions of almost 9% over the last four reported years.

UK greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 29% since the base year, with England and Scotland having the greatest percentage reductions of almost 31% each and Northern Ireland having the lowest percentage reduction of just over 17%.

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, and accounted for 69.1% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland in 2011 (13,700 kt CO2e).

(IT/MH)


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