Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Neil Tackaberry

Drop of 6.4% in industrial emissions last year - but not for dairy and pharma

This compares with a decrease of approximately 11-12% across Europe.

EMISSIONS FROM IRISH power generation and industrial companies fell 6.4% – 0.9 million tonnes – last year, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This compares with a decrease of approximately 11-12% across Europe.

In its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, the EPA credited the decrease in emissions to the impact of lower production in some industrial sectors during the pandemic, combined with a significant drop in power generation emissions.

According to data from the EPA, power generation emissions dropped by 8.4% as a result of the “strong presence” of renewable energy – mainly wind generation – and less use of fossil fuels, such as peat, in our energy mix.

The EPA notes that in contrast, emissions from the ESB coal-fired plant at Moneypoint increased by almost 27% last year, “mainly due to increased demand for balance on the National Grid”.

Aside from power generation, the decrease in industrial emissions collectively is 3.5% – with cement industries recording a drop of 5.7%. 

However, EPA Senior Manager Dr Maria Martin notes that many companies in the industrial sectors are seeing an increase in greenhouse gas emission every year.

In 2020, the dairy processing industry showed a 4% increase while emissions from pharmachem industries increased by 10.9%.

“We welcome the overall decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 from large industry and power generation. However, underlying this decrease are some contrasting trends. An increase in the use of renewables in the power generation sector – coupled with the impact of Covid-19 – leads to less emissions,” said Dr Martin.

“There are, nevertheless, many companies in the industrial sectors, such as dairy processing and pharmachem, where emissions are increasing year on year.”

A “positive development” she says is that the price of carbon in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) has continued to rise from just under €31 per tonne at the end of 2020 to €43 per tonne currently.

“It is not yet clear if this will be sufficient and stable enough to drive emissions reductions,” she added.

The EU emissions trading system is the European Union’s system for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances from electricity generation, industry and aviation – with the EPA the competent authority for the system’s implementation in Ireland. 

According to the body, Ireland’s reported emissions for 2020 added up to a total of 13.28m tonnes.

Snag_11ff20c EPA EPA

Meanwhile, the only airline showing an increase in emissions in 2019 and 2020 were those that specialise in air freight. Aviation emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland decreased by 63 per cent compared to 2019, to 4.74 million tonnes.

The government has committed to an ambitious 51% reduction in 2018-level carbon emissions by 2030, plans for which will be set out in the first two so-called ‘carbon budgets’.

It’s hoped this reduction will be achieved through targeting the transport sector and industry, as well as an increased reliance on renewable energy.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:11 PM

    Someone thinks about what they know about this brutal murder or what someone very close to them knows about it every night before they sleep, hoping it will be gone when they wake up, but it won’t have gone & it never will. If it’s you, her family have suffered enough, help them.

    462
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Conlon
    Favourite Joe Conlon
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:02 PM

    Hard to believe that it’s been 16 years since her murder.

    352
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunsine
    Favourite Suzie Sunsine
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:11 PM

    it must be so hard for the family knowing that this man was never brought to justice . wonder if they’ve looked into a certain person that was recently locked up for the murder of another young woman. 16 years ago ? he would have been quite a young guy then .

    314
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Conlon
    Favourite Joe Conlon
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:12 PM

    @Suzie, I reckon that a lot of people are wondering the same as you.

    205
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christine Hanway
    Favourite Christine Hanway
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:14 PM

    I seen this headline an just thought the exact same… These “type” of killers now being caught shud always be looked into for past unsolved murders alike…

    145
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:21 PM

    The original detective heading the case was interviewed recently & ruled out any involvement by that freak.

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Favourite Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 1:12 AM

    I have it on very good authority that the cops know exactly who did it but have been unable to nail him as someone provided a false alibi for him. This is the reason for the annual appeal as per above.

    112
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunsine
    Favourite Suzie Sunsine
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 1:19 AM

    I don’t know how that person can live with themselves , to provide a false alibi and keep quiet all these years .

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Favourite Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 1:27 AM

    His girlfriend I believe.

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunsine
    Favourite Suzie Sunsine
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 1:30 AM

    she’s probably terrified of him or she loves him so much and doesn’t want to lose him so she’ll do anything for him ! either way she’s an idiot !

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrew Matheson
    Favourite Andrew Matheson
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 1:58 AM

    Heard this as well.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 6:48 AM

    Heard that too!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rashers Tierney
    Favourite Rashers Tierney
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 9:03 PM

    Somebody knows. In the name o Jaysus, give it up – give this family some peace. How do you live with yourself? Cut the crap and do the right thing.

    158
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiyoyo
    Favourite Fiyoyo
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 10:08 PM

    the cops know who killed her but they can’t get enough evidence and most likely someone is protecting him. Apparently he was a regular to that pub. No one I know will walk down there alone, not even in the day time

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 5:59 AM

    If they “can’t get enough evidence”, then they don’t “know” who killed her, they just have a theory.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kathleen Henderson
    Favourite Kathleen Henderson
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 10:01 PM

    Someone knows something for sure…..that someone told at least one other person….for sure….bragging is part of killing. …If that one other person is half way decent ….even send an anonymous tip to the GARDAI please….that family…..bless and save us…no one should suffer what they have…..If you know anything…..TALK NOW PLEASE.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:25 PM

    Jesus she was only 17 and she was working late, going to the pub and then on to a nightclub?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:32 PM

    @john… Sad comment.

    225
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:35 PM

    Why? Legally she was still a child that should have been doing none of these things but then again it is Ireland where there aremany laws and very little justice.

    40
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jean Keely
    Favourite Jean Keely
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:37 PM

    Yes John that’s what 17 year olds do, it’s called living and someone evil
    took that away from her.

    381
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 8:48 PM

    @john…. Sadder comment.

    146
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute VinHeffer89
    Favourite VinHeffer89
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 9:39 PM

    Don’t blame the victim.
    That’s cold.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 9:52 PM

    @VinHeffer89
    Who is blaming the victim??? Where did you read that?

    There are many people who could be blamed but Raonaid is most certainly NOT one of them.
    1st would be the perpetrator who is evil beyond belief and then you might look at the Judiciary and the Minister for Justice who have allowed a situation develop where there is active support for criminals at every hands turn (free legal aid, soft sentencing, poor laws etc) while the victims are frequently forgotten.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunsine
    Favourite Suzie Sunsine
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 12:41 AM

    why question what she doing then and quoting her age ?

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 3:15 AM

    @Suzy
    I had remembered the case and the bits about Scott’s bar but didn’t realise she was a child, her age was mentioned in the above report. There is nothing in what I said or indeed have ever said that puts blame on her or ANY crime victims in Ireland.
    Does this satisfy you?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 6:05 AM

    All John is trying to say, admittedly in a cackhanded way, is that a young adult that age shouldn’t be going out to pubs with her friends and should instead be imprisoned at home until the third hand strikes midnight on the morning of her eighteenth birthday, the moment at which, everybody know, we all suddenly turn into butterflies.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiyoyo
    Favourite Fiyoyo
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 11:04 AM

    did you not work or drink in a pub when you were 17?! Times were different back then!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute shouldweallbe
    Favourite shouldweallbe
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 11:12 PM

    Is it defo a male? Ye all seem so sure .(awaits link to murder stats by gender link)

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunsine
    Favourite Suzie Sunsine
    Report
    Sep 4th 2015, 12:37 AM

    witnesses heard her telling a man to leave her alone

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Banana Rama
    Favourite Banana Rama
    Report
    Sep 3rd 2015, 9:39 PM

    @John What is wrong with you?

    24
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds