Regional EU Sustainable Development Indicators for Ireland 2022

Climate mitigation

Net greenhouse gas emissions

SDG_13_10 measures total national emissions (from both ESD and ETS sectors) including international aviation of the so called ‘Kyoto basket’ of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and the so-called F-gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆)) from all sectors of the GHG emission inventories (including international aviation and indirect CO₂). The indicator is presented in two forms: as net emissions including land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) as well as excluding LULUCF. Using each gas’ individual global warming potential (GWP), they are being integrated into a single indicator expressed in units of CO₂ equivalents. The GHG emission inventories are submitted annually by the EU member states to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). See Table 13.1 and Figure 13.1.

Net greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land use change and forestry 

SDG_13_21 measures net carbon removals from the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, considering both emissions and removals from the sector. The indicator is expressed as CO₂ equivalents using the global warming potential (GWP) of each gas. Emissions and removals data, known as GHG inventories, are submitted annually by member states to the EU and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). See Table 13.2 and Figure 13.2.

Climate impacts and adaptation

Climate related economic losses 

SDG_13_40 measures the economic losses from weather and climate-related events. In addition to the annual figures, a smoothed time-series based on 30-year averages is presented. In line with the climate normal period as defined by World Meteorological Organisation, these 30 years average figures reflect trends excluding the substantial climate variability on shorter time scales due to natural factors. The indicator is based on data from CATDAT of RiskLayer. See Table 13.3 and Figure 13.3.

Population covered by the Covenant of Mayors for climate and energy signatories

SDG_13_60 measures the share of EU population covered by the new Covenant of Mayors per member state, as the ratio between the population of the cities that have signed in a country and the total population of that country. Signatories to the Covenant of Mayors with an “On-hold/suspended” status are excluded. See Table 13.4 and Figure 13.4.

Financing climate action

Contribution to the international USD 100bn commitment on climate-related expenditure 

SDG_13_50 measures the total amount spent from the annual budget of the EU member states as well as of the European Commission and the European Investment Bank, in order to contribute to the international 100bn USD commitment for climate finance under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). From 2020 onwards the figures refer to commitments made. The 21st UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in Paris urged developed-country Parties again to ‘scale up their level of financial support, with a concrete roadmap to achieve the goal of jointly providing USD 100 billion annually by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation and to further provide appropriate technology and capacity-building support. See Table 13.5 and Figure 13.5.