Northern Ireland is on track to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a new report forecasting a 33% decrease by 2032.

However, this falls well short of the “at least 48%” reduction required by the Climate Change Act 2022. The figures are based on the latest data from the Northern Ireland Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2021).

The report, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), projects that emissions will further decrease to 20 MtCO2e by 2032. This represents a 13% reduction from current levels as Northern Ireland continues its push towards a more sustainable future.

A key driver of the decline is the shift from coal-fired to gas and renewable energy in the energy supply sector. By 2032, energy-related emissions are expected to decrease by 49%, contributing significantly to the overall reduction.

Emissions in 2021 stood at 22 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), a 23% reduction from the 29 MtCO2e emitted in 1990, the base year. However, emissions from agriculture, Northern Ireland’s largest sector, are projected to decline by only 1%, leaving it responsible for an even larger share of overall emissions.