Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

348 Chapter 13: Environment and Industry Emissions to air Significant air pollutants from industrial sources include acidifying pollutants e.g. sulphur oxides (SO x ) and other pollutants that damage human health and the environment, such as NO x , particulate matter, non- methane volatile organic compounds and ammonia. Overall, across Ireland and Europe, emissions of some significant pollutants have decreased from industrial sources over the past 20 years. The overall downward trend in levels of these pollutants illustrates the tighter emission limits, improved abatement technologies and the move to cleaner fuel sources. Emissions to air from 17 industry.eea.europa.eu/analyse/air (accessed 15 July 2024). 18 GVA figures for Ireland, particularly after 2015, have been distorted by the introduction of an accounts system applied by Eurostat (Regulation (EU) 549/2013). Modified gross national income gives a truer measure of how the Irish economy is growing. Even when emissions intensity is mapped against modified gross national income there is still a significant decoupling between emissions and economic growth. industrial sites represent a significant proportion of Ireland’s emissions to air: 37% of SO 2 , 17% of NO x and 16% of fine particulate matter (EPA, 2024a). Over 80% of these emissions come from two sectors – the energy sector and the mineral sector (cement). 17 Figure 13.10 illustrates the decline in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, the most significant greenhouse gas, for key industrial sectors compared with gross value added (GVA) 18 for all manufacturing sectors in Ireland from 2007 to 2022. Figure 13.10  Air releases: carbon dioxide emissions by industry sector in Ireland compared with gross value added (constant prices) for all manufacturing sectors in Ireland, 2007-2021 ˜ Chemical industry ˜ Cement industry ˜ Energy sector ˜ GVA (All manufacturing) 0 3 6 9 12 15 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 CO 2 Emissions (Mt/year) GVA € Billion 0 30 60 90 120 150 18 180 Year Source: Compiled from European Environment Agency and Central Statistics Office data