Greenhouse gas statistics for Northern Ireland for 1990-2022 have been published

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has today published a statistical bulletin on greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland 1990-2022.

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The statistical bulletin presents key figures for Northern Ireland from the greenhouse gas inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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The estimates were prepared by Ricardo Energy and Environment on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland.

The key points are:

• In 2022, net greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland are estimated to be 21.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This net value results from an estimated total emissions of 23.2 MtCO2e, offset by 1.9 MtCO2e of emissions removed through sequestration.
• The net figure of 21.3 MtCO2e in 2022 represents a decrease of 3.0% compared to 2021. The long-term trend shows a decrease of 26.4% compared to emissions in 1990.
• In 2022, the largest emitting sector was agriculture, responsible for 29.1% of emissions. Domestic transport contributed 18.1% of total emissions, while the Buildings and product applications and Electricity supply sectors contributed 15.3% and 14.0%, respectively.
• In 2021-2022, all sectors, except domestic transport, showed a decline in emissions. The largest declines in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent occurred in the Buildings and Product Applications (0.4 MtCO2e), Agriculture (0.1 MtCO2e) and Electricity Supply (0.1 MtCO2e) sectors.
• In 2022, Northern Ireland accounted for 5.3% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions, which amounted to 406.2 MtCO2e. In the UK, emissions were reduced by 50.2% between 1990 and 2022. Over the same period, emissions reductions in Northern Ireland were 26.4% compared with 52.6% in England, 51.2% in Scotland and 36.4% in Wales.

Notes for editors:

1. This is the fifteenth edition of the Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Inventory Statistical Bulletin. It will continue to be updated annually. The data was produced by Ricardo Energy and Environment on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland.
2. Emissions are reported according to the sectors of territorial emissions statistics. This is in line with the UNFCCC international reporting guidelines. Descriptions of each sector are available in Annex A.
3. Emissions are reported for seven greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). Depending on its molecular weight, radiative properties and residence time in the atmosphere, each greenhouse gas has a different ability to cause global warming. The base year is 1990 for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide and 1995 for fluorinated gases. Fluorinated gases include hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride.
4. All emissions data presented in this press release come from a by-source inventory, which attributes emissions to the sector (and region) that produces them. There is also an end-user inventory where emissions are allocated by source, depending on where the end-user activity took place, i.e. emissions from power plants would be allocated to users of that electricity, e.g. domestic and industrial.
5. Greenhouse gas emissions estimates are based on a wide range of data sources, and sources of uncertainty include statistical differences, assumptions, proxy datasets, and expert judgment. Additionally, the natural variability of the modeled processes introduces uncertainty. For example, the carbon content of fuels and agricultural practices under different climatic conditions and soil types. Uncertainties are presented as confidence intervals. The width of the interval is a measure of the accuracy of the estimate. For the percentage reduction between the base year and 2022, the 95% confidence interval ranges from 20% to 37%.
6. These statistics are published in accordance with the Statement of Compliance with Advance Access to the Official Statistics (NI) Regulation 2009. Official statistics are produced to high professional standards. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure they are meeting customer needs. They are produced without any political interference.
7. The National Statistics User’s Guide to the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory provides a simple guide to the origins and use of data when compiling the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This guide can be accessed via the Department of Energy and Climate Change website.
8. All media inquiries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: [email protected] or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
9. The Executive Information Department handles media inquiries outside of business hours, only between 18:00 and 08:00, Monday to Friday, and on weekends and holidays. The duty spokesman can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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