Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

312 Chapter 12: Environment and Energy Addressing the range of impacts caused by energy use while maintaining and enhancing our health and wellbeing is a central element in a series of United Nations conventions and global policies as well as key European Union (EU) and national policies (EC, 2020; DECC, 2024a). The approach taken can be summarised as follows: ■ Reduce energy use and loss through increased energy efficiency and demand reduction. ■ Reduce emissions through mitigation technologies such as removing certain contaminants, such as sulphur, and carbon capture and storage. ■ Switch to clean and sustainable energy solutions from non-combustion sources such as hydropower, wind or solar energy and the use of green hydrogen. These do not give rise to combustion-related impacts, but there is a need to be cognisant of their social and environmental impacts, as they do impact land use. These issues are explored in more detail later in this chapter and in Chapter 2, Air; Chapter 4, Climate; Chapter 5, Land; Chapter 11, Transport; and Chapter 13, Industry. 3. Sources of and trends in Ireland’s key energy- related greenhouse gas emissions Ireland’s national energy-related GHG emissions accounted for 50% of Ireland’s total GHG emissions (including from land use, land use change and forestry) in 2023. Emissions in 2023 were 6.8% lower than in 2022, driven by reduced emissions from electricity generation and residential sources; however, faster annual reductions will be needed to stay within carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings (EPA, 2024). Ireland’s energy-related GHG emissions in 2023 were 15% lower than 2018 levels. Emissions from electricity generation in Ireland decreased by 22.1% in 2023 due to the increased importation of electricity from the UK through electricity interconnectors, together with an increase in the share of renewable electricity generation to 40.7%. Transport sector emissions (excluding international aviation and navigation) grew by 0.3% in 2023 having previously increased by 6% in both 2022 and 2021. Emissions from residential buildings decreased by 7% in 2023, hitting a historical low for the second consecutive year. Carbon dioxide emissions from the manufacturing combustion sector decreased by 4.6%, from commercial services by 2.5%, and from public services by 2.7% in 2023, associated with reductions in fossil fuel use within these sectors (Figure 12.3). Figure 12.3  Profile of Ireland’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by sector 13.2% 35.6% 17.0% 9.4% 24.7% Energy industries 24.7% ˜ Manufacturing industries and construction 13.2% ˜ Road transportation 35.6% ˜ Residential 17.0% ˜ Other 9.4% ˜ Source: EPA, 2024c