Transport

Transportation is an absolute necessity for the operation and development of large industry in Ireland. It is also an area that must be addressed in terms of reducing emissions and Ireland’s impact on climate change. The proximity of businesses to customers, markets, distribution networks, employees and suppliers can have a huge effect on the amount of transportation-related emissions.

Transport emissions decreased by 3.5% from 11.29 Mt CO2eq in 2011 to 10.90 Mt CO2eq in 2012. This is the fifth year in a row that a decrease in transport sector emissions has been reported following significant growth up to 2007; transport emissions in 2012 were 24.7% lower compared with 2007. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the economic downturn plus the changes in vehicle registration tax and road tax introduced in mid-2008 (EPA, 2013). In addition, the Biofuels Obligation Scheme started operation in mid-2010 with biofuels displacing petrol and diesel use in the transport sector.

In 2012, gasoline use decreased by 9.1% while diesel use increased by 0.1%, reflecting the continued economic downturn in 2012 as well as the impact of policies and measures such as linking VRT and motor tax to CO2 emissions (EPA, 2013). Emissions in 2012 however were still 113% higher than the 1990 transport emissions, so a sharp focus on this area is still very much a necessity.