Greta Jimenez
Ireland is known for its lush green landscapes, stunning coastlines, and clean, fresh air. However, the country faces significant environmental challenges, including air quality issues, water quality challenges, biodiversity loss, high greenhouse gas emissions, and poor waste management. While Ireland has shown a commitment to tackling climate change and improving sustainability, it has been criticized for having one of the worst environmental records in Europe. This raises the question: Is Ireland truly environmentally friendly, or are these green landscapes under threat?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air quality | Meets many current standards, but does not meet stricter WHO guidelines for pollutants like fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. |
| Water quality | Bathing water quality ranked 6th worst in Europe in 2016, with 92.9% of sites complying with guide values. Drinking water standards are improving, with microbiological and chemical compliance at 99.9% and 99.6% respectively in 2017. |
| Biodiversity | About 85% of EU-protected habitats are in an unfavourable state, and over half of native plant species are in decline. The index of common bird species increased from 100 in 1998 to 121.5 by 2016, but the amount of land dedicated to their habitats is lacking. |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Ireland is one of the highest emitters per capita in the EU, with the third-highest emissions in 2015. Agriculture is the largest contributor, followed by transport and energy. The country aims to reduce emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels but is projected to fall short without additional measures. |
| Renewable energy | Ireland has introduced schemes to encourage small-scale solar installations and is expanding offshore wind power capacity. The target is to achieve 80% renewable electricity generation by 2030. |
| Waste management | Ireland's circular economy and waste management are rated as poor, with increasing waste generation. The government aims to achieve a 60% recycling rate for municipal waste by 2030 and reduce single-use plastics. |
| Environmental protection | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with monitoring and protecting Ireland's environment and producing regular reports on its quality. |
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What You'll Learn
Ireland's air quality
In 2019, Ireland's PM2.5 reading was 10.60 μg/m³, which is considered a ''good'' rating. This reading placed Ireland 77th out of all countries registered worldwide, with Dublin also receiving a 'good' rating of 10.6 μg/m³, ranking it 2357th out of all cities globally. The World Health Organisation's (WHO) target is below 10 μg/m³, and Ireland's reading is respectable, falling just within this target range.
However, it is important to note that Ireland does not meet the stricter WHO guidelines for certain pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The country's air quality tends to decline towards the end of the year, with prominent changes occurring from November to December, when several cities' PM2.5 readings increase. Cork, for example, had the highest PM2.5 reading in Ireland during December 2019, at 14.3 μg/m³.
Ireland's main sources of air pollution include solid fuel combustion, which produces fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and vehicle emissions, which release nitrogen dioxide (NO2) into the atmosphere. The country's geography, with surrounding mountains and flat plains, can sometimes lead to a lack of wind, causing pollution to build up in certain areas.
To address these issues, Ireland has implemented various measures, including the Clean Air Strategy, which aims to align with WHO Air Quality Guidelines. The country also has initiatives to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy sources, such as the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) for small-scale solar installations and expanding offshore wind power capacity.
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Water quality
Ireland's stunning landscapes and coastlines are renowned worldwide. However, the country is facing environmental challenges, including water quality issues.
According to the latest EPA assessment from 2013 to 2018, 52.8% of Ireland's surface waters are in satisfactory ecological health, achieving "good" or "high" status. This decline from 55.4% in the 2010-2015 assessment means that the remaining 47.2% are in "moderate," "poor," or "bad" ecological status.
Ireland's water policy and management are guided by the Water Framework Directive, which has set a target of achieving "good status" for all waters in the country, with no deterioration. Despite efforts over the last 20 to 30 years, Ireland is falling short of this target, and water quality has declined in recent years. The latest EPA report from 2013 to 2018 is disappointing, showing a decline in the percentage of surface water bodies in good or high status.
Challenges to water quality in Ireland include the impact of agriculture, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Additionally, the country's waste management and circular economy have been rated as poor, with increasing waste generation and a reliance on export markets for recycling.
To address these issues, Ireland has introduced initiatives such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which aims to ensure cleaner waterways and promote cost-effective treatment solutions. The European Green Deal, of which Ireland is a part, also includes measures to encourage cleaner production methods, improve durability and reparability, ban greenwashing, and encourage reusable packaging. These initiatives aim to improve water quality and protect Ireland's renowned natural environment.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
Ireland has some of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. In 2015, it had the third-highest rate, and in 2023, its emissions were 2.22 Mt CO₂eq above the annual limit. Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 3.3% from 1990 to 2023, but the country is still not on track to meet its 2030 targets.
The largest contributor to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions is the agriculture sector, which accounted for 32% of emissions in 2016 and 37.7% in 2023. This is due to Ireland's large animal population and high levels of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management, and fertiliser use. In 2023, the transport and energy industries sectors were also significant contributors, accounting for 21.5% and 14.3% of total emissions, respectively.
To reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Ireland has set a target of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The country has introduced schemes to encourage small-scale solar PV installations and is focusing on expanding its offshore wind power capacity. Ireland also aims to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise electricity generation.
While Ireland has made some progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, it still has a long way to go to meet its targets and contribute to global efforts to limit climate change.
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Waste management
Ireland's environmental record has been described as one of the worst in Europe, with the country facing challenges in several areas, including waste management. The country's circular economy and waste management are rated as poor, with increasing waste generation and reliance on export markets for recycling.
In recent years, there has been a decrease in the amount of municipal waste generated per capita, falling from 718 kilograms per capita in 2004 to 564 in 2014. The amount of waste sent to landfills has also decreased significantly, from 71% between 2001 and 2004 to 21% in 2014. However, Ireland still has a long way to go to achieve its waste management goals. In 2022, an estimated 39% of all municipal waste was exported abroad for recycling, energy recovery, and composting or anaerobic digestion.
To improve waste management, Ireland has introduced initiatives such as the Deposit Return Scheme, which encourages the return of empty drink containers for recycling, and the mandatory incentivised charging system for non-household municipal waste, which incentivises waste reduction and boosts recycling percentages. The country is also focusing on better waste segregation, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reporting that 74% of waste could be managed through improved segregation.
Ireland's waste management goals are aligned with the European Commission's broader objectives outlined in Ireland's Green Deal. This deal includes initiatives such as revised packaging waste laws, which encourage reusable packaging and clearer recycling labelling, and the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which promotes cleaner waterways and cost-effective treatment solutions.
Overall, while Ireland has made some progress in waste management, particularly in reducing landfill waste, it continues to face challenges and must implement additional measures to achieve its targets and improve its environmental record.
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Renewable energy usage
Ireland's clean, fresh air, lush green landscapes, and stunning coastlines are renowned worldwide. However, the country's scenic environment is under threat due to the global climate crisis. Ireland has set ambitious targets for renewable energy usage to address this crisis and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
In 2023, Ireland set a record high of 23.38 TWh in renewable energy use across electricity, transport, and heat. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with renewable energy accounting for only 24% of total energy production in 2016. While Ireland still relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, with 82.6% of its energy coming from these sources in 2023, the country is making strides towards a more sustainable energy mix.
The Irish government has implemented various schemes to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS) for small-scale solar PV installations and initiatives to expand offshore wind power capacity. These efforts have resulted in a growing installed wind power capacity of 4,405 MW by the end of 2021, producing 31% of the country's electricity needs that year. In 2023, wind power accounted for just over one-third (33.7%) of Ireland's electricity supply, while solar PV generation contributed 1.9%.
To further promote the use of renewable energy, Ireland has set several targets and directives. The National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) aims for 42.5% renewable energy use in the electricity sector and 10% in the transport sector by 2020. The Renewable Energy Directive sets a target of 32% renewable energy use by 2030, with an intermediate goal of 16% by 2020. While Ireland fell slightly short of its 2020 goals, achieving 39.1% in the electricity sector and 10.2% in the transport sector, the country continues to make progress.
Overall, Ireland is committed to increasing its renewable energy usage to combat climate change and protect its renowned natural environment. While challenges remain, the country is on a positive trajectory, with renewable energy sources playing an increasingly important role in its energy mix.
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Frequently asked questions
Ireland has a reputation for being environmentally friendly, with its clean, fresh air, lush green landscapes and stunning coastlines. However, according to a 2018 report, Ireland's environmental record is among the worst in Europe. The country has high emissions of greenhouse gases, with the third-highest emissions per capita in the EU in 2015. Ireland also has issues with waste management and water quality.
Ireland has implemented several measures to reduce its environmental impact and tackle climate change. The country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. Ireland has introduced schemes to encourage small-scale solar installations and is expanding its offshore wind power capacity. The country is also focusing on improving energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel consumption. Ireland has committed to meeting the EU's recycling targets and reducing single-use plastics.
Ireland faces several challenges in becoming more environmentally friendly. The country has a high dependence on imported energy, with an imported energy dependency of 88.6% in 2015, the fourth highest in the EU. Ireland also has a low percentage of agricultural land designated as organic, with only 11% of its land in forestry. Additionally, Ireland's circular economy and waste management are rated as poor, with increasing waste generation.
