EPA warns Ireland's emissions cuts too slow for climate targets

Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen for the fourth year in a row, with a 2.2% decrease in 2025 bringing them 14.5% below 2018 levels. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a stark warning: the pace of these reductions is "far too slow" to meet the country's legally binding climate targets for 2030.

The EPA stated that annual emissions must decrease four-and-a-half times faster than they did last year to achieve the national goal. This target requires a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Despite four years of progress, emissions remain significantly above this benchmark, with only four years remaining to bridge the gap.

While the government has outlined plans for more electric vehicles, heat pumps, reduced cattle numbers, and increased renewable electricity, the EPA estimates that even full implementation would only lead to a maximum 25% reduction by 2030. Eimear Cotter, Director General of the EPA, urged accelerated climate action and deeper annual emissions reductions. She also encouraged the public to contribute by making conscious choices at home, such as switching to renewable energy suppliers, opting for more efficient vehicles, utilizing public transport, walking, cycling, and reducing food waste.

Notably, Ireland is provisionally confirmed to have stayed within its first Carbon Budget for 2021-2025, which capped cumulative emissions at 295 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Reductions and efficiency improvements ensured cumulative emissions finished 1.1 million tonnes under budget. In 2025, total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding the land-use sector, were 52.65 million tonnes.

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Look at the choices that you're making in your home. Is it an option for you to look at your power supplier and switch to one supplying more renewable energy? When you're looking at changing your own vehicle, could you look at a more efficient vehicle? Is an electric car an option for you? Is public transport an option? That is not available for everyone, so is walking or cycling an option if you live in an urban area? Reduce your food waste. You have an opportunity three times a day to do that, and by reducing food waste, you're reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing your environmental impact.