SEAI warns energy emissions ‘going in wrong direction’

The State’s energy-related, carbon dioxide emissions are moving in the wrong direction and rose by 5.4 per cent in 2021, when the plan was for them to fall by 4.8 per cent, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland said on Wednesday.

The authority also warned the increase in energy-related emissions for this year may hit six per cent.

In its annual Energy in Ireland analysis, the authority said a rebound in traffic on the roads and an increase in the use of coal and oil in electricity generation had affected CO2 levels with emissions returning to pre-Covid levels.

The authority warned “the current level of progress in moving to renewables” is “not at the rate required to achieve our climate ambitions”.

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The report shows that the increase in 2021 emissions was driven by electricity generation, up 17.3 per cent; transport, up 7.3 per cent; and industry up 3.3 per cent. The increases were partly mitigated by decreases in residential emissions of 6.1 per cent, and commercial and public services by 2.7 per cent.

The authority called for immediate action including:

• Develop further onshore and offshore wind and solar
• More energy storage and electricity interconnection
• Smarter travel including walking, cycling and take public transport coupled with a decrease in petrol and diesel using vehicles
• Deployment of district heating networks at scale to replace gas and oil use for heating
• More electric vehicles, upgrades of 500,000 homes to at least B2 energy rating and more heat pumps in place of oil and gas boilers.

An updated Climate Action Plan is expected from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) next week. This is expected to provide an enhanced policy package and action list aimed at reversing the current emissions trends.

Margie McCarthy, director of research and policy insights at the SEAI, said the Energy in Ireland findings show there needed to be an “urgent” move to renewables and less use of oil, gas, coal and peat for energy needs.

Preliminary data for 2022 suggests that energy-related emissions have increased further, putting Ireland further behind targets than anticipated.

The SEAI said it was ready to offer advice and Government-funded supports for householders, businesses, and communities who want to reduce their use and make the switch to renewables.