Ireland ranks amongst the worst performers in the European Union in terms of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, it emerged today.
The European Commission said without undertaking additional measures Ireland is almost 16 per cent off the target set for reducing its carbon emissions by 2010.
The latest projections reveal only three other Member States will probably perform worse: Spain, Portugal and Greece.
"These projections show there is no room for complacency or error," Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said.
"All Member States must pull their weight to ensure that we deliver on our collective commitment. Those that are not on track urgently need to step up efforts to meet their targets, if necessary by taking further national measures to reduce emissions.
"Only if national allocation plans for the second period of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme are ambitious enough will each Member State be able to achieve its Kyoto obligations."
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland's target allows for a rise in emissions of no more than 13 per cent by 2010.
The commission warned without additional measures put in place the Ireland's emissions will rise by 29.6 per cent.
The latest projections indicate that the EU 15 Member States which were EU members before 2004 may just about reach the target set for the EU at Kyoto.
Seven EU-15 Member States project that they will exceed their individual emission limits, which are binding under EU law. The seven are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
PA