Environmental Indicators Ireland 2022

3.1 Ireland: Particulate matter _2.5 emissions 1990-2020

Emissions of particulate matter PM_2.5 in Ireland have decreased by 58% from 28,700 tonnes in 1990 to 12,100 in 2020. The residential and commercial sector accounted for 59% of PM_2.5 emissions in 2020, while industry accounted for another 12%.

3.2 EU: Particulate matter PM _2.5 emissions 2020

Ireland ranked 16^th among 27 EU Member States for emissions of PM_2.5 in 2020 compared with 2000. The index of Irish emissions fell from 100 in 2000 to 64 in 2020.

France had the lowest index figure for PM_2.5 emissions in 2020 at 36 compared with 100 in 2000, while Romania had the highest at 105.

3.3 Ireland: Sulphur oxide emissions 1990-2020

Ireland’s emissions of sulphur oxides have fallen from 183,750 tonnes of sulphur dioxide equivalents in 1990 to 10,740 tonnes in 2020.

Emissions from power stations have declined from 103,000 tonnes in 1990 to 2,000 in 2020.

The fall in emissions from power stations is mainly due to a shift from oil and coal to gas and the installation of technologies which reduce sulphur emissions.

Ireland has been below the National Emissions Ceiling (NEC 2010) for sulphur oxide emissions since 2009.

3.4 EU: Sulphur oxide emissions 2020

All 27 EU Member States were below their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling level of emissions for sulphur oxides (measured in tonnes of sulphur dioxide equivalents) in 2020. Ireland ranked 22nd among EU27 Member States in terms of 2020 emissions with a reduction of 74% relative to its 2010 NEC. Malta was the country with the greatest reduction in emissions, at 98% below its 2010 NEC in 2020, while Germany had the smallest reduction at 55% of its 2010 NEC.

3.5 Ireland: Nitrogen oxide emissions 1990-2020

Ireland’s nitrogen oxides emissions have fallen from 175,600 tonnes in 1990 to 93,700 tonnes in 2020. This is 44% above the National Emissions Ceiling for 2010 of 65,000 tonnes but below the 2019 figure of 100,100 tonnes.

3.6 EU: Nitrogen oxide emissions 2020

In 2020, three of the 27 EU Member States were above their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling for nitrogen oxides. Ireland had the joint worst level of emissions, at 46% above its NEC along with Luxembourg. Bulgaria had the best performance at 63% below its NEC.

3.7 Ireland : Ammonia emissions 1990-2020

Ireland’s ammonia emissions have varied between 109,800 and 135,300 tonnes over the 1990-2020 period. In 2020, ammonia emissions were 123,400 tonnes, or 6% above the 2010 National Emissions Ceiling of 116,000 tonnes.

Almost all of ammonia emissions are attributable to the agricultural sector, with emissions directly from soil the largest contributing factor at 40% of total emissions in 2020.

3.8 EU: Ammonia emissions 2020

Four of the 27 EU Member States were above their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling for ammonia in 2020. Ireland’s performance was ranked in third worst place in 2020 with emissions 6% above its 2010 NEC threshold. Spain was 36% above its 2010 NEC, while Estonia was 68% below its 2010 NEC.

3.9 Ireland: NMVOC emissions 1990-2020

Ireland’s emissions of Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds fell by 26% from 152,200 tonnes in 1990 to 112,600 in 2020. The 2020 figure was 105% above the 2010 National Emissions Ceiling of 55,000 tonnes.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing was the sector with the highest emissions over the 1990-2020 period and accounted for 41% of total NMVOC emissions in 2020, compared with 28% in 1990.

Emissions from the food and beverage industry increased by 178% over the 1990-2020 period, while emissions from the transport and the residential and commercial sectors declined by 91% and 70% respectively.

3.10 EU: NMVOC emissions 2020

Only five of the 27 EU Member States exceeded their 2010 National Emissions Ceiling in 2020 for Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds. Ireland had the highest level of emissions among EU Member States in 2020 relative to its 2010 NEC at 105%, while Malta had the lowest emissions at -79%.