The latest emission figures in the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1990 – 2010, have been published today.

The figures estimate the 2010 Northern Ireland emissions at 20,460 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent; with 26% from agriculture, 21% from transport, 19% from energy supply and 19% from the residential sector. This represents a reduction of almost 15% since the base year; although, emissions have increased in the last year and are up almost 4% on the 2009 figure. This increase is mostly attributable to consecutive cold winters and an increase in fossil fuel use as a consequence. The Programme for Government sets a target of a reduction of 35% in greenhouse gas source emissions by 2025 from the base year.

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The majority of the emission source sectors have seen a decreasing trend since the base year with power generation experiencing a 26% reduction in emissions and emissions from the residential sector decreasing by 13%; this has mainly been due to the increased use of gas in power stations and in homes in Northern Ireland over recent years.

In contrast, transport emissions have increased by 26% since the base year due to growth in transport demand and increased affordability of cars and fuel although, since peaking in 2007, there has been a reduction of just over 7% over the last three reported years.

UK greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by almost 24% since the base year, with Wales and Northern Ireland having the lowest reduction of approximately 15%. However, caution should be exercised when comparing the relative performance of individual countries due to the level of uncertainty around each individual estimate.

(CD/GK)