Environmental Indicators Ireland 2025 - Global Context and Climate

This chapter looks at a series of indicators referring to air emissions and climate. The chapter contains indicators which are important from a policy formation and evaluation perspective as they refer to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in Ireland and compares Irish emissions with those of EU Member States. Another indicator provides a sectoral breakdown of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland, highlighting the relative importance of agriculture. Information on average temperature and rainfall in Ireland are also shown, complementing the global climate data referred to in Chapter 1.

2.1 Ireland Greenhouse gas emissions by NACE sector 2014-2023 (Residence Principle)

Greenhouse gas emissions can be calculated according to the Territorial or the Residence Principle (See the Background Notes), with data on the Territoriality basis the one used to determine Ireland’s legal obligations under international and national climate change legislation.

Table 2.1 contains data based on both principles. The difference between the two concepts is that Residence Principle emissions are calculated from Territorial Principle emissions by removing transport emissions from non-resident units on the territory of Ireland, and by adding transport emissions by Irish resident units abroad. They are compiled using the same principles and classifications as National Accounts to ensure compatibility with economic indicators.

In 2023, 54.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent were emitted according to final figures and based on the Territorial Principle, compared with 72.9 million tonnes according to the Residence Principle. The main contributor to this difference is carbon dioxide emissions from flights by Irish resident airlines operating in countries other than Ireland.

2.2 Ireland: Greenhouse gas emissions 1990-2024 (Territorial Principle)

Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions were 53.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2024 calculated according to the Territorial Principle. This was down 2.0% from 54.8 million tonnes in 2023 and was 5.4% lower than the average 1990-1994 figure of 56.8 million tonnes.

2.3 EU: Greenhouse gas emissions 2023 (Territorial Principle)

Ireland ranked second worst out of 27 EU Member States in terms of its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to 1990. Ireland’s figure in 2023 was 98.6% of its 1990 level, compared with an EU-27 average of 63.7%. Estonia had the best performance in the EU-27. Its 2023 figure was 27.0% of its 1990 level. Cyprus was the worst performing EU Member State. Its 2023 figure was 152.4% of its 1990 number.

2.4 EU: Greenhouse gas emissions per capita 2023 (Territorial Principle)

In 2023, Ireland had the second highest emissions of greenhouse gases per capita in the EU27 at 10.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. Ireland’s emissions were 51% higher than the EU-27 average of 6.9 tonnes. Luxembourg had the highest level of greenhouse gas emissions per capita in 2023 at 11.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, while Malta had the lowest rate of emissions in 2023 at 4.1 tonnes.

2.5 Ireland: Greenhouse gas emissions by EPA sector 1990-2024 (Territorial Principle)

Indicator 2.5 shows greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland based on the Territorial Principle and using the latest provisional data for 1990-2024. These figures therefore exclude Irish resident activity abroad, such as carbon dioxide emissions from flights by Irish resident airlines operating in countries other than Ireland.

The indicator provides a sectoral breakdown based on EPA categories rather than the NACE classification. Data in this format are reported annually by the Environmental Protection Agency and sent to the United Nations under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). They are used to determine whether Ireland has met its legally binding emissions targets.

Agriculture was the sector with the highest greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland over the 1990-2024 period, accounting for 38.0% of the total CO2 equivalent emitted in 2024.

2.6 Ireland: Greenhouse gas emissions by NACE sector 2014-2023 (Territorial Principle)

Indicator 2.6 shows greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland based on the Territorial Principle and broken down by NACE sectors, the common classification system used by CSO and other national statistical offices. The data refer to final figures for 2014-2023 and the total emissions agree with those in Table 2.1.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries was the most impactful sector for emissions, accounting for 38.0% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland in 2023, on this basis.

2.7 Ireland: Average annual temperature 1961-2024

The average annual temperature in Ireland reached 10.45⁰ Celsius in 2024, the third highest year on record since 1961 after 2022 and 2023. In contrast, the lowest year in the 1961 - 2024 period occurred in 1986, when the average annual temperature was 8.20⁰ Celsius.

2.8 Ireland: Average annual rainfall 1941-2024

Annual rainfall in Ireland in 2024 was 1,228 millimetres, about mid-range for the 1941-2024 period and well below the highest figure of 1,511 millimetres recorded in 2023. In contrast, the lowest average rainfall figure over the 1941-2024 period was in 1971 which measured 912 millimetres.