Basic HTML Version
Introduction & Socio-economic Context
15
Since 1990 renewable energy use
has increased, but it still accounted
for just 4.6% of the primary energy
requirement in 2010. Ireland’s
target under the EU Renewable
Energy Directive is a 16% share
of gross final energy by 2020.
Ireland has abundant renewable
energy resources in wind, water,
geothermal, solar and biomass.
These sources offer sustainable
alternatives to fossil fuels as well as
reducing GHG emissions and our
dependency on imported fuels.
In 2010 Ireland imported 86%
of its energy needs (SEAI, 2011).
It is envisaged that wind power will
be the most significant contributor
to national and international targets
for green electricity over the coming
years. According to a recent Wind
Energy Roadmap from SEAI, Irish
wind could contribute 2.5% of EU
electricity demand, create 20,000
jobs and generate €15 billion for the
Irish economy by 2050. At the end of
June 2010, a total of 110 wind farms
were metered in Ireland, bringing
the total installed capacity for wind
to 1,379 MW. In order to achieve
national targets for renewable
electricity (40%) by 2020, an
estimated 5,500–6,000 MW of wind
generation is required (SEAI, 2011).
Public Perceptions
and the Environment
Despite the economic downturn,
public interest in the environment
remains high in Ireland. A
Eurobarometer Survey, conducted by
the European Commission in 2011
(EC, 2011b), found that the issue of
most concern to Irish citizens was the
impact on health of chemicals used
in everyday products (Figure 1.6).
Other environmental issues causing
concern were water pollution,
growing waste, and man-made
disasters. The public also considered
that the efficient use of natural
resources and the protection of the
environment were key to economic
recovery and growth in the future.
Conclusion and
Future Challenges
Environmental issues can no
longer be considered in isolation.
Increasingly these issues are broad-
ranging and complex and are
linked to a web of interdependent
human activities. This means that
understanding and responding
to environmental challenges has
become more complex for policy
and decision makers across all
areas of the economy.
Ireland’s Environment 2012
provides
an integrated assessment of the
environment in Ireland, using the
cause and effect chain of the DPSIR
framework (Driving forces–Pressures–
State–Impact–Response). In doing
so, it looks at the interrelationship of
recent socio-economic developments
and the consequences these have on
the environment. While the recent
period of economic recession has
reduced pressure on the environment
in some areas, one of the major
challenges now facing Ireland is the
achievement of economic growth
that is environmentally sustainable
into the future.
A vital part of Ireland’s economic
renewal is the development of a
green economy to take advantage
of Ireland’s exceptional resources in
terms of natural and human capital.
This requires the development of a
clear vision as to how the transition
can be made to becoming a low-
carbon, resource-efficient and
climate-resilient economy. This state
of the environment report is an
important tool to assist in identifying
and shaping future policy to manage
and protect Ireland’s environment
and to support this transition.
Figure 1.6
Environmental Issues of Most Concern to Irish Citizens (Source: EC)
0
10
20
30
40
50
Percentage
Health Impact of Chemicals 44%
Water Pollution 43%
Growing Waste 39%
Man-Made Disasters 38%
Depletion of Natural Resources 37%
Climate Change 34%
Natural Disasters 28%
Agricultural Pollution 27%
Air Pollution 25%
Use of Genetically Modified Organisms in Farming 22%