Ireland reduced CO2 emissions to lowest level in 30 years [Video]

Ireland reduced energy-related CO2 emissions by more than 7% in 2023 to their lowest levels in 30 years.

It also set new highs for wind generation, solar-generation, heat-pump installations, eV registrations, and biofuel blending.

But the emissions cuts are still not enough to meet overall emissions targets which depend on even higher annual reductions of more than 11% this year and next, a report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) warned yesterday.

It says there are “positive trends in the key renewable technologies of solar, wind, heat pumps and electric vehicles” but warns “heightened acceleration” is “urgently needed” to hit targets.

Ireland must install 27% more wind capacity to reach its 2025 target as it is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and imported energy, with more than 80% of energy coming from fossil fuels, and almost 80% of energy imported.

The SEAI’s director of research Margie McCarthy, said: “We have no time to wait.”

While the …