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Risk that Ireland won't meet its EU emissions targets

The EPA said that Ireland is at risk of not meeting targets that it is supposed to meet by 2020.

COULD IRELAND MISS its 2020 greenhouse gas emission targets?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new figures today which indicate that while Ireland will comply with its Kyoto Protocol obligations (2008 – 2012), we are at significant risk of not meeting our EU 2020 targets “even under the best-case scenario”.

Projections

The EPA document contains projections for the period 2012 to 2020, which show:

  • Ireland can comply with its Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas reduction obligations for the first commitment period (2008 – 2012).
  • Ireland is required to reduce its emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. However, these projections indicate that we will breach our annual obligations under the EU 2020 target from 2016 onwards in the best-case scenario.
  • Strong projected growth in emissions from transport and agriculture are the key contributors to this.

The figures show the projected trends for greenhouse gases up to 2020 and give a picture of Ireland’s ability to meet EU and international targets for greenhouse gas emissions.

They are available on the EPA website.

Dara Lynott, Deputy Director General, EPA said that reductions to date are primarily a direct result of the current economic recession and economic outlook for the future.

Ireland cannot rely on recession to meet our long term carbon reduction requirements and needs to develop as a low carbon and resource efficient economy. All sectors of the economy must contribute to emission reductions with a strong focus on those sectors – transport and agriculture – that dominate our emissions profile.

He said that significant reductions are needed in the transport and agriculture sectors, which are currently showing an increasing trend in emissions into the future.

According to the EPA, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions profile is unique because of the dominance of the agriculture sector.

By 2020, transport and agriculture are projected to account for nearly 80 per cent of Ireland’s emissions not accounted for under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Under the most ambitious reduction scenario, transport and agriculture emissions are projected to both increase by 12 per cent by 2020. This scenario assumes that ambitious targets are met for renewable fuel penetration, electric vehicle rollout and targets under the Food Harvest 2020.

According to the EPA, failure to deliver on any of the measures, or a reduction in their effectiveness, will mean higher emissions levels than projected.

The difficulties associated with meeting these criteria should thus not be underestimated.

Earlier this year, it emerged that Ireland may have to spend up to €300m over the next eight years to fulfill its obligations under these EU targets.

Read: Shortfall in greenhouse gas emissions target may cost Ireland €300m>

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42 Comments
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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:47 PM

    Sounds like another pseudo liberal like Clinton. Hopefully Sanders will win the nomination this time and finally put an end to this Trump circus of ignorance, sexism and racism.

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    Mute bopter
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:06 PM

    Think he’s aiming for a Sanders – Bloomberg or Biden – Bloomberg ticket.

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    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
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    Nov 24th 2019, 6:52 PM

    @Rónán Strain: you forgot jobs, wealth, zero wars, boosted economy too

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:08 PM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: you forgot being a russian puupet

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    Mute Obama
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    Nov 25th 2019, 10:02 AM

    @Rónán Strain: sexism and racism ? It’s funny how he wasn’t known for any of those things until he ran as a Republican. Stop watching CNN and read up on actual information.

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    Mute Peter D W Clancy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 11:43 AM

    @Obama: Trump has always had a questionable character. He just used his presidential platform to let the world and all in the universe know all about what he really is.

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    Mute Carlin Ite
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:49 PM

    The weekend Sanders takes poll position. The establishment are shaking.

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    Mute Joe Johnson
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:09 PM

    @Carlin Ite: Do you have to be 77 to go for this job.

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    Mute Burn_the_Witch
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:07 PM

    @Carlin Ite: Sanders can be bought by the establishment. He’s already proven it by laying over on his back for Clinton in 2016.

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:17 PM

    @Burn_the_Witch: Better than committing treason and being bought by Russia…

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    Mute D H
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:25 PM

    @Joe Johnson: at least…. Closer to 80 if possible

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    Mute kenneth clohessy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 8:28 PM

    @Rónán Strain: Sanders is a commie

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:11 PM

    @kenneth clohessy: He obviously isn’t but i suppose accuracy would not be something expected of your ilk

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    Mute Oonaghx
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    Nov 25th 2019, 12:55 AM

    @Rónán Strain: do you have proof of that Ronan? or are you just going to be repetitive with that nonsense?

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    Mute Gandelow
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    Nov 25th 2019, 6:34 AM

    @kenneth clohessy: so was Jesus if you apply that theory

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    Mute Rocky Rocks
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:27 PM

    Hopefully President Trump gets 4 more years.

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:48 PM

    @Rocky Rocks: 4 years in jail would be good for him.

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    Mute LynchTrea
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:05 PM

    @Al Fresco: too good

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    Mute Declan Moran
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:45 PM

    I really wish the Democrats had at least one candidate strong enough to depose the orange one. Instead of a crowded field of people whom don’t come across that great (I could be very wrong). A bit like Labour in England at the moment, missing a perfect opportunity to get rid of BOJO but Corbyn is just not good enough.

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    Mute Francis Tuffy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:34 PM

    @Declan Moran: Yeah, although 11 candidates have dropped out, there’s still a whopping 14 in the running currently, they need to get down to 4 max., Biden, Warren, Bloomberg and Sanders maybe.

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    Mute Mjhint
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:28 PM

    I’m doubtful that the American revolution envisaged these types of oligarchs running the USA particularly when they steal the American dream for those it was meant to liberate.

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:49 PM

    @Mjhint: yes. Israel loves Trump and they will love Bloomberg as one of their own even more.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:36 PM

    Any candidates under 75 years old?

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:24 PM

    Time to feel the bern !!

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:19 PM

    Bloomberg heading straight for Iceberg!

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    Mute WreckDefier
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:38 PM

    Bloomberg, probably the worst candidate in the world

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:19 PM

    @WreckDefier: have you had a look at what else is out there? Trump is going to offer his disservices again, ” Anyone but Trump”

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:43 PM

    @John Smith: if Moscow doesnt interfere this time, he doesnt stand a chance.

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    Mute Pádraig Healy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 8:00 PM

    @Rónán Strain: still peddling that hoax eh? You’re propping up a lot in these comment sections of late, are you being paid to post all these comments or are you just in need of some employment and have too much time on your hands?

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    Mute Edmund Murphy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:37 PM

    If he wants an ego trip and to be loved by America he should just write every person living in America a cheque for $160. He would still be a billionare after. That’s how obscenely, immorally wealthy he is.

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    Mute bmul
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:43 PM

    Self made

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    Mute Barry
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:20 PM

    @bmul: he’s actually rich and is good at business unlike trump

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    Mute Mary Cull
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:56 PM

    @Barry: He is deep state fighting back. The swamp will never be drained.

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    Mute Francis Tuffy
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:32 PM

    @Mary Cull: Jesus, if there was such a thing as an all-powerful ‘Deep State’, do you think they’d allow someone as out of control as Trump get elected?

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    Mute Rónán Strain
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:38 PM

    @Mary Cull: The deep state…….jaysus, Best for you to stay off the internet for a while i think:p

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    Mute Burn_the_Witch
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    Nov 24th 2019, 10:48 PM

    @Francis Tuffy: The ‘deep state’ is nothing new or not believable. It’s just a bunch of senior career civil servants spread out across the Government. The only reason you’re hearing about them now is because they’ve been fighting Trump tooth and nail for the past nearly four years. A bunch of bureaucrats pulling in the big bucks from where they shouldn’t, who don’t like an outsider getting in the way. Simples.

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    Mute Al Fresco
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:15 PM

    Anyone but Trump!

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    Mute Chris O'Sullivan
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:18 PM

    For the man who has everything why not buy yourself a presidency this Christmas lol

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    Mute james r
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:39 PM

    Way to old …

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    Mute Kevin Barry
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:17 PM

    Devon Nune’s cow is going to declare next Wednesday.

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    Mute Tim McCormack29
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    Nov 24th 2019, 5:38 PM

    Wouldn’t trust another billionaire from New York to be President of the United States..

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    Mute Mel Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 24th 2019, 4:19 PM

    ABT

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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Nov 24th 2019, 9:13 PM

    It’s not too long ago that 70 + year olds were keen to take life easier, slow things down a little, do some fishing, play more golf, spend some time with the grand-kids, go on a cruise, even get ready, spiritually, for the next world.

    Not anymore, it seems! Pelosi, Biden, Clinton, Saunders, Trump, Ross, and now Bloomberg…all rearing to jump into/ stay in the political swamp for more punishment. No official retiring for these guys!

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    Mute CAMILA REMONA
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    Nov 24th 2019, 3:58 PM

    Well isn’t that blooming marvellous for him …

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    Mute John Smith
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:50 PM

    What happened to the comments I wrote?

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    Mute Micheál
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    Nov 24th 2019, 7:00 PM

    Only a physical force communistic revolution of the working class will change the US, and hence the world.
    And it will happen!
    Ádh mór don lucht oibre!

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    Mute Cillian Leahy
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    Nov 25th 2019, 3:50 PM

    An easy reelection for Trump so

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