The permanent closure of ESB peat-fired power plants in Shannonbridge in Co Offaly and Lanesboro in Co Longford this year will see further reductions in power sector emissions. Reduced demand in electricity and horticulture markets due to Covid-19 led to Bord na Móna laying off 230 employees temporarily from its energy business unit this week.
Cement industries recorded a 2 per cent decrease; the dairy industry showed a 3 per cent decrease and emissions from pharmachem industries decreased by 0.4 per cent., said: “This is the third year in a row we have seen a fall in GHG emissions from participants in the ETS, mainly power generation and industry. This reflects a positive move to lower use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and an increase in renewables.
Reductions were modest in other sectors and attributable to a small number of players, with an increase from aviation, she said. “We need to see consistent reductions in emissions across all sectors to reach our goal of a low-carbon economy.”“Emissions from our largest energy users have fallen from a high of 20.3 tonnes of CO2 in 2008, to 14.1 tonnes last year.
The results show it was possible to break the link between economic progress and emissions, he believed. “Last year, the economy grew by 6 per cent but our electricity and major industrial emissions fell by 8.7 per cent. It is welcome progress, but we must do more.”considered its future recovery, Mr Bruton said “we must ensure climate resilience is built in and that we leverage Ireland’s natural assets and invest in our renewable capacity, particularly offshore wind”.
The plan is designed to reduce emissions by 35 per cent by 2030, while the Government has endorsed the European Green Deal, which will see the EU raise its ambition to 50-55 per cent. This will require further development of the plan, Mr Bruton accepted, “and inclusion of new ambition and new actions” backed by rigorous implementation and reporting.
Quite incredible in 2020 that Ireland still generates electricity by burning peat in three power stations.