Back to Top

Pulse Survey now running Five years on, we're measuring the lasting impact of COVID-19 on our lives in our latest short Pulse Survey. CSO Pulse Surveys are anonymous and open to all. #CSOTakePart

 Skip navigation

Highest Emitting Sectors

Highest Emitting Sectors

Online ISSN: 2990-8051
CSO statistical publication, , 11am

Highest Emitting Sectors in 2020

Table 2.1 shows a breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions, gross value added at constant prices, and employment numbers for the highest emitting NACE sectors in 2020.

The five highest emitting sectors in 2020 were Agriculture (38%), Households as consumers (27%), Manufacture of cement and other non-metallic minerals (6%), Road and other land transport (5%), and Manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco (3%). These five sectors accounted for 78% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Each of these sectors is the focus of a chapter in this release, containing further analysis of factors affecting emissions and the potential impact of reducing emissions in these sectors. Emissions from each of the remaining sectors are generally around 2% of the total or less. 

Table 2.1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Gross Value Added and Employment by NACE A64 for the Highest Emitters, 2020

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Economic Activity of the Highest Emitting Sectors, 2010-2020

Tables 2.2-2.4 show greenhouse gas emissions, economic activity and employment data for the highest emitting NACE sectors from 2010 to 2020. 

Table 2.2 shows that the Agriculture sector was responsible for around one-third of emissions in every year during the period 2010 to 2020. The household share decreased from 31% in 2010 to 27% in 2020 even though there was a substantial increase in population numbers during this period (see Tables 2.2 and 1.2).

The five sectors with the highest levels of emissions accounted for around three-quarters of emissions in each year during 2010 to 2020. In contrast, these five sectors contributed 7% or less to gross value added in constant prices and around 10% to persons in employment (see Tables 2.3 and 2.4). As Households are included in this release as consumers only and not as producers, there is no contribution to gross value added or employment data for this sector. 

Table 2.2 Share of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Highest Emitting Sectors, 2010-2020

Table 2.3 Share of Gross Value Added at Constant 2020 Prices for Highest Emitting Sectors, 2010-2020

Table 2.4 Share of Employment for Highest Emitting Sectors, 2010-2020