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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| NI greenhouse gas emissions fall | NI greenhouse gas emissions fall |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland have fallen by 13% since 1990, according to a new report. | Greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland have fallen by 13% since 1990, according to a new report. |
| AEA Technology's 'Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report', also shows that carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 9% in the same period. | AEA Technology's 'Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report', also shows that carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 9% in the same period. |
| It said the main reasons were falls in emissions from electricity supply, waste management, agriculture and domestic use. | It said the main reasons were falls in emissions from electricity supply, waste management, agriculture and domestic use. |
| Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the news. | Environment Minister Edwin Poots welcomed the news. |
| "These falling figures are evidence that we are all becoming more environmentally aware and I wish to commend everyone who has played their part in helping to continue the downward trend in these harmful emissions. | "These falling figures are evidence that we are all becoming more environmentally aware and I wish to commend everyone who has played their part in helping to continue the downward trend in these harmful emissions. |
| "Targets on reductions in greenhouse gas emissions set by the Executive are also now well on track to be met," he said. | "Targets on reductions in greenhouse gas emissions set by the Executive are also now well on track to be met," he said. |
| However, the Green Party said the Northern Ireland reduction was less than the other three UK regions. | |
| "Since 1990 we have only seen a drop of 9% in carbon dioxide emissions, which compares badly, considering we need to achieve 80% reduction by 2050," the party's Brian Wilson said. | |
| "I think Minister Poots needs to set targets for the next five years, only then can we truly measure our reduction successes." | |
| The report is compiled annually on behalf of the UK government's Department of Environment and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. | The report is compiled annually on behalf of the UK government's Department of Environment and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
| Six greenhouse gases are reported on: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride. | Six greenhouse gases are reported on: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride. |
| Emissions of all the gases, except sulphur hexafluoride, fell in Northern Ireland in the period 1990 - 2007. | Emissions of all the gases, except sulphur hexafluoride, fell in Northern Ireland in the period 1990 - 2007. |
| Gas | Gas |
| The report points to changes in power generation as one of the most important factors in the reductions. | The report points to changes in power generation as one of the most important factors in the reductions. |
| In 1996, the largest power station in Northern Ireland, Ballylumford, was converted from oil to use natural gas, which is less polluting. | In 1996, the largest power station in Northern Ireland, Ballylumford, was converted from oil to use natural gas, which is less polluting. |
| Natural gas also has been supplied to some industrial, commercial and domestic users since 1999 and gas use continues to grow as the infrastructure is developed. | Natural gas also has been supplied to some industrial, commercial and domestic users since 1999 and gas use continues to grow as the infrastructure is developed. |
| Emissions from road transport represent 30% of the 2007 Northern Ireland carbon dioxide total, with emissions having risen by 49% since 1990, compared with an 11% increase for the UK over the same period. | Emissions from road transport represent 30% of the 2007 Northern Ireland carbon dioxide total, with emissions having risen by 49% since 1990, compared with an 11% increase for the UK over the same period. |
| Emissions from agriculture represent 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland in 2007, a significantly higher proportion than the UK average (7%). | Emissions from agriculture represent 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland in 2007, a significantly higher proportion than the UK average (7%). |
| This is because there are fewer industrial and energy related emission sources in Northern Ireland than there are elsewhere in the UK, and hence, agriculture emissions are comparatively more important | This is because there are fewer industrial and energy related emission sources in Northern Ireland than there are elsewhere in the UK, and hence, agriculture emissions are comparatively more important |
| Detail of the methodology used to estimate the emissions can be found at the AEA's website. | Detail of the methodology used to estimate the emissions can be found at the AEA's website. |