The level of carbon dioxide emissions produced by energy in Ireland grew at a higher rate than energy production for the first time in four years, according to figures published today.
Research by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) found that, despite increased green energy output in recent years, energy-related CO 2emissions in 2005 grew by 3.2 per cent, compared with 3 per cent the previous year.
It is the first time since 2001 that greenhouse gas emissions have outstripped the growth in energy production.
The principal cause was a 73 per cent increase in the use of peat to generate electricity and a 9 per cent decrease in the use of gas - which is more efficient - for the same purpose.
The findings are contained in two reports SEI published today: Energy in Ireland 1990-2005and Security of Supply in Ireland 2006.
The reports noted the growth in green energy production had helped reduce the rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Wind, hydro power, landfill gas, biomass and biogas accounted for 6.8 per cent of electricity consumption in 2005 compared with 5.2 per cent the year before.
SEI chief executive David Taylor said: "The growth in renewable energy production last year was very encouraging, and it succeeded in limiting the increase in emissions to 3.2 per cent rather than the 4.1 per cent it would have been had renewables not increased to the extent that they did."
With a target of 15 per cent renewable electricity by 2010, Mr Taylor warned there were "significant challenges" ahead.
It is projected that Irish energy consumption will increase by 30 per cent by 2020, but we remain heavily dependent on carbon-based energy, particularly oil, which constitutes 57 per cent of our energy use.
The SEI notes all of Ireland's oil is imported, and this compromises Ireland's energy security; the country also relies on it for transport, which is the largest generator of emissions.
The SEI figures show transport accounts for 41 per cent of our energy use and increased in 2005 by 8.2 per cent, almost three points ahead of economic growth.
However, oil increased by 2.8 per cent in 2005, compared to growth in the economy of over 5 per cent.
Ireland is committed to reducing its increase in emissions to 13 per cent above its 1990 level by 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland will not meet this target but intends to purchase carbon credits under the emissions-trading scheme, which allows low polluters sell their surplus allocation to high polluters.
However, the European Commission last month told Ireland to revise its plan, which relies heavily on carbon credits to account for its projected 30 million-tonne shortfall. Today it threatened action against seven member states for failing to submit complete plans.
Green Party energy spokesman Eamon Ryan said the reports were "a damning indictment of Government policy".
Mr Ryan said: "For the last ten years we have ignored the twin perils of increasing reliance on imported fossil fuels and soaring greenhouse gas emissions."
He said the failure to invest in public transport and the development of peat-fired power stations were to blame.
He also warned that the reliance on imported fossil fuels will be "one of the greatest threats to our economy" in the future.
Fine Gael environment spokesman Fergus O'Dowd described the figures as "phenomenally worrying" and that "a new aggressive approach" that placed responsibilities on local authorities was needed.