Figure 7.1 shows that in 2020 greenhouse gas emissions from these sectors had decreased slightly relative to 2010 while gross value added at constant prices and employment were much higher in 2020 than in 2010.
Table 7.1 shows that the majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the food, beverages and tobacco sectors were due to non-transport fuel combustion from 2010-2020. In 2020, 57% of emissions from these sectors was due to non-transport fuel combustion. Electricity consumption accounted for the next largest proportion of emissions each year - this decreased from 41% of emissions from this sector in 2010 to 28% in 2020. The food, beverages and tobacco sectors accounted for around 3% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in each year from 2010 to 2020.
| Year | Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Gross Value Added (constant 2020 basic prices) | Employment (Persons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2011 | 95.4803675856307 | 119.162440186949 | 113.326282288226 |
| 2012 | 104.141305645065 | 118.042163035577 | 113.680649833922 |
| 2013 | 100.885547201337 | 127.026306779178 | 114.782902709299 |
| 2014 | 101.968612006206 | 136.916353651358 | 122.316193276107 |
| 2015 | 104.83589927199 | 142.799242353965 | 121.615584110406 |
| 2016 | 110.899271989498 | 138.436874355908 | 128.069541629182 |
| 2017 | 112.97648884115 | 132.853029825144 | 124.129110882223 |
| 2018 | 107.81238811314 | 133.891166812 | 124.010245098502 |
| 2019 | 101.655925528106 | 143.304901929366 | 119.546324637378 |
| 2020 | 96.687552213868 | 129.283896311114 | 118.051347274191 |
Table 3.4 in the chapter on Agriculture shows interactions between the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sectors and the Food, Beverages and Tobacco sectors. The food manufacturing sector was the main user of agricultural, forestry and fishing products in 2019, making up 35% of the value of the output of these sectors. The beverages and tobacco industry accounted for 17% of the total. Exports accounted for 55% of the value of final uses of food products in 2019.
Large dairy and other large food and beverage manufacturers are included in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. In 2020, 52% of emissions from the food, beverage and tobacco sectors were included in the scheme (see Table 7.2). Participants in the scheme must obtain an emissions permit for each tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted in the manufacturing plant. A certain number of free permits are allocated to each plant while the remainder must be purchased through the scheme. Participants in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are entitled to full or partial relief from carbon tax, depending on the type of fuel used.
