Environmental Indicators Ireland 2025 – Economy, Emissions and Energy

This chapter looks at the emissions of air pollutants in Ireland and the European Union over time. The data shows significant reductions in the emissions of Particulate Matter, Sulphur Oxides, Ammonia and Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds in Ireland over the 1990-2023 period. By contrast, emissions of Nitrogen Oxides increased over this period. Ireland performed better that the EU average concerning emissions of Particulate Matter, Sulphur Oxides, Nitrogen Oxides and NMVOC’s over the 2022-2023 period. However, Ireland hade the fifth worst performance of any EU Member State for Ammonia emissions between 2022 and 2023.

2.1 Ireland: Particulate matter emissions 1990-2023

Particulate matter (PM_2.5) are microscopic particles in the air with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, approximately 1/30th the width of a human hair. These particles, composed of a mix of soot, dust, and chemicals, are small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs and can pose serious health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Emissions of PM_2.5 in Ireland were at 9,300 tonnes in 2023, down 11.4% from the 2022 figure of 10,700 tonnes. The 2023 figure was also 64.2% lower than the 1990-1994 average figure of 26,000 tonnes.

The Residential and Commercial sector accounted for most of this reduction, falling from an average of 18,200 tonnes of PM_2.5 emissions in 1990-1994 to 4,400 in 2023. Even so, this was the still the largest sector contributing to these emissions in 2023.

2.2 EU: Particulate matter emissions 2023

Slovakia was the EU Member State with the largest decline in PM_2.5 emissions between 2005 and 2023. Its 2023 figure was 36.7% of the 2005 number. Ireland’s emissions in 2023 were 49.2% of its 2005 figure, better than the EU-27 average of 61.9%. Romania had the smallest decline in PM_2.5 emission over this time-frame period. Its 2023 figure was 82.9% of its 2005 number.

2.3 Ireland: Sulphur oxide emissions 1990-2023

Ireland’s emissions of sulphur oxides fell by 21.3% from 9,350 tonnes in 2022 to 7,360 tonnes in 2023. The 2023 figure was also 95.8% lower than the average 1990-1994 figure.

Emissions from power stations accounted for most of this reduction, falling from an average of 97,470 tonnes in 1990-1994 to 710 tonnes in 2023.

The fall in emissions from power stations is mainly due to a shift from oil and coal to gas, the installation of technologies which reduce sulphur emissions and the increasing reliance on renewable energy sources.

2.4 EU: Sulphur oxide emissions 2019-2023

Ireland’s emissions of sulphur oxides in 2023 were 7,360 tonnes, down 21.3% on the 2022 figure of 9,350 tonnes.

Romania had the largest fall in emissions between 2022 and 2023, down 41.1%, while Slovakia had the highest percentage increase in emissions of sulphur oxides, up 3.4% in 2023 compared with 2022. The EU-27 average emissions fell by 14.0% over this period.

2.5 Ireland: Nitrogen oxide emissions 1990-2023

Ireland’s nitrogen oxide emissions fell by 7.4% from 91,200 tonnes in 2022 to 84,420 tonnes in 2023. The 2022 figure was 51.5% lower than the average annual figure of 175,680 tonnes in 1990-1994.

Emissions from power stations declined by 91.9% over this period while emissions from transport fell by 52.0%. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was the sector with the highest level of emissions in 2023 at 38.9% of the total.

2.6 EU: Nitrogen oxide emissions 2019-2023

Emissions of nitrogen oxides fell by 4.2% in Ireland between 2022 and 2023, compared with the EU-27 average decline of 3.6%.

Luxembourg was the EU Member State which experienced the greatest decline in the emissions of nitrogen oxides between 2022-2023, falling by 17.7%. Bulgaria had the greatest increase in these emissions rising by 8.3% over this period.

2.7 Ireland: Ammonia emissions 1990-2023

Ireland’s emissions of ammonia fell by 4.1% from 121,300 tonnes in 2022 to 116,400 tonnes in 2023. The 2023 figure was 10.9% lower than the average figure of 130,600 tonnes in 1990-1994.

Almost all ammonia emissions are attributable to the agricultural sector, with emissions directly from soil the largest contributing factor at 40.5% of total emissions in 2023.

2.8 EU: Ammonia emissions 2019-2023

Ireland’s ammonia emissions fell by 1.1% between 2022 and 2023, the fifth worst performance in the EU. The EU-27 average emissions of ammonia fell by 5.6% over this period.

Bulgaria, which had an increase of 0.9% in emissions between 2022 and 2023, had the worst performance in the EU. In Croatia, which was the best performing EU Member State, emissions fell by 13.3% over this period.

2.9 Ireland: NMVOC emissions 1990-2023

Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are emitted as gases by a wide array of products including paints, paint strippers, glues, adhesives and cleaning agents. They also arise as a product of incomplete combustion of fuels and are a component of car exhaust emissions. A further significant source is agricultural activity. Exposure to NMVOCs can have an array of direct and indirect negative effects on human health.

Ireland’s emissions of NMVOC’s fell by 4.1% from 110,200 tonnes in 2022 to 105,700 tonnes in 2023. The 2023 figure was 32.1% lower than the average figure of 155,700 tonnes in 1990-1994.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing was the sector with the highest emissions over the 1990-2023 period. In 2023, it accounted for 40.0% of total NMVOC emissions, compared with an average of 32.1% in 1990-1994.

2.10 EU: NMVOC emissions 2019-2023

In Ireland, NMVOC emissions fell by 3.9% between 2022 and 2023, compared with an EU average decrease of 3.6%. The best performing EU Member State was Czechia where emissions fell by 14.3% over this period. Latvia had the largest increase in emissions of NMVOC’s in the EU-27, with an increase of 5.1% in emissions between 2022 and 2023.