Northern Ireland greenhouse gas statistics 1990-2023 released
Date published:
A statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions for Northern Ireland, during the period 1990-2023, has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
The statistical bulletin outlines key Northern Ireland figures from the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Download the statistical bulletin
The estimates were produced by Ricardo Energy and Environment on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The key points are:
- In 2023, Northern Ireland’s net greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 18.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This net figure is a result of an estimated 20.1 MtCO2e total emissions, offset by 1.9 MtCO2e of emissions removed through sequestration.
- The net figure of 18.2 MtCO2e in 2023 represents a decrease of 7.1% compared with 2022. The longer-term trend showed a decrease of 31.5% compared with the base year. The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for the fluorinated gases.
- In 2023, the Agriculture sector was the largest emitter, accounting for 30.8% of total emissions. Domestic transport followed as the second largest contributor, responsible for 21.5% of overall emissions. The Buildings and product uses sector, along with the Land use, land use changes, and forestry (LULUCF) sector, contributed 13.8% and 11.8% respectively. Additionally, the Electricity Supply sector accounted for 11.7% of emissions.
- Between 2022 and 2023, the majority of sectors (with the exception of Fuel supply and LULUCF) showed a decrease in emissions. The largest decreases in terms of tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent were in the Electricity supply (0.9 MtCO2e), Buildings and product uses (0.4 MtCO2e) and Agriculture (0.1 MtCO2e) sectors.
- In 2023, Northern Ireland contributed 4.7% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions, which stood at 385 MtCO2e. In the UK there has been a 52.7% reduction in emissions between the base year and 2023. During the same period, the reduction in emissions in Northern Ireland was 31.5%, compared to 55.1% in England, 52.7% in Scotland and 38.5% in Wales.
Notes to editors:
- This is the sixteenth release of the Northern Ireland greenhouse gas inventory statistical bulletin. It will continue to be updated annually. The data were produced by Ricardo Energy and Environment, on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
- Emissions are reported according to the Territorial Emissions Statistics sectors. This is in accordance with international reporting guidelines from the UNFCCC. Descriptions of each sector are available in Annex A.
- Emissions are reported for seven greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Depending on their molecular weights, radiative properties and residence times in the atmosphere, each greenhouse gas has a different capacity to cause global warming. The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for the fluorinated gases. The fluorinated gases are hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride.
- All emission figures presented in this press release are taken from the by source inventory, which attributes emissions to the sector (and region) that produces them. There is also an end user inventory which reallocates the emissions by source in accordance with where the end user activity occurred, i.e. emissions from power stations would be reallocated to the users of this electricity, e.g. domestic homes and industry.
- The greenhouse gas emission estimates are based on a wide range of data sources and sources of uncertainty include statistical differences, assumptions, proxy datasets and expert judgement. In addition, the natural variability in the processes that are being modelled introduce uncertainty. For example, carbon content of fuels and farming practices under different climatic conditions and soil types. The uncertainties are presented as confidence intervals. The width of the interval provides a measure of the accuracy of the estimate. For the percentage reduction between the base year and 2023, the 95% confidence interval ranges from 20% to 37%.
- These statistics are released according to the Statement of Compliance with the Pre-release access to Official Statistics Order (NI) 2009. Official Statistics are produced to a high professional standard. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
- UK greenhouse gas inventory National Statistics user guide provides a simple guide to the origins and use of data in the compilation of the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This guide can be accessed through the Department of Energy and Climate Change website.
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