Introduction

Climate change is one of the most significant and challenging issues currently facing humanity. Increased levels of greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, increase the amount of energy trapped in the atmosphere which leads to global impacts such as increased temperatures, melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea-level.

State and Impacts

Climate change is a global issue and is being driven by enhanced atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. The levels of these gases have continued to increase as shown by measurements of carbon dioxide (CO₂) at Mace Head on the west coast of Ireland.

These observations are replicated at other sites around the world. Current atmospheric levels now exceed by far the natural range over the last 650,000 years.

The effects of the enhanced greenhouse gas levels are most evident in the temperature record. For Ireland the average temperature has increased by 0.7^oC over the period 1890 – 2007 and there is also evidence of a trend towards more intense and more frequent rainfall. These trends are reflected in ecosystem changes, with an increase in the growing season and greater numbers of warmer latitude fauna evident in Ireland and its surrounding waters.

Future impacts of climate change in Ireland will be both direct and indirect, resulting from spillover from impacts in other parts of Europe and the rest of the world. Predicted negative impacts in Ireland include:

• more intense storms and rainfall events
• an increased likelihood of flooding in rivers and on the coast, where almost all our cities and large towns are situated
• water shortages in summer in the east and the need for  irrigation of crops
• changes in the distribution of species
• the possible extinction of vulnerable species

Drivers & Pressures

Under the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Ireland's total emissions are limited to an average of 62.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per annum (13 per cent above the baseline estimate) in the period 2008-2012. The actual situation in relation to compliance with the Kyoto protocol will not be known until after this five year period.  However, we can estimate that after the first two years we are currently a total of 6.2 million tonnes above the target when the impact of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and Forest Sinks are taken into account.

In 2009, Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased across all sectors due to the effects of the economic downturn with a decline in total emissions of 7.9 per cent.

Ireland’s emissions profile has changed considerably since 1990, with the contribution from transport more than doubling and the share from agriculture reducing since 1998. In a European context it is notable that Irish per capita emissions of greenhouse gas emissions remain among the highest.

The energy industries represent 21 per cent of total national greenhouse gas emissions in 2009. Emissions from power generation account for the bulk of energy sector emissions. Since the mid 1990s, Ireland’s population growth has been significantly greater than the EU average. This coupled with the increase in the number of households, has placed greater demands on energy for heating and electricity, which to a large extent are fossil fuel based. Since around 2001 the improved efficiency of electricity generation by the use of less carbon intensive fuels, coupled with an increase in the share of renewables, have allowed increased electricity production while at the same time resulting in lower emissions. Emissions in 2009 were 10.7 per cent lower than in 2008.  This also reflects a reduced demand for electricity from end-users.

The transport sector, responsible for 21 per cent of total national emissions,  has been the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, showing a 156 per cent increase between 1990 and 2009. However, transport emissions were 7.7 per cent lower in 2009 than in 2008.  This is the second year in a row that a decrease in transport sector emissions has been reported. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the economic downturn as well as the changes in vehicle registration tax and road tax introduced in mid-2008.

The industrial and commercial sector are responsible for 14.8 per cent of total national emissions.  Emissions from this sector are 20 per cent lower in 2009 compared to 2008. This reflects decreases in emissions from, primarily, food processing and cement production.

Introduction

In this section two specific issues are highlighted which are of particular relevance for Ireland and its environment.  From the mid-1990s there have been major economic, social and demographic changes in Ireland.  These changes have had significant implications for the Irish environment and how it is managed. 

Within the context of sustainable development, it is important that the environmental conditions fundamental to the economic and social well-being of future generations not be exhausted or degraded. It is vital that environmental considerations are placed at the heart of policy and decision-making across all sectors.