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Downturn to slash carbon emissions
Two stories in the Irish Times today touch on the effect the economic downturn will have on carbon emissions.
Looking at the national situation, the Times reports that the EPA will today announce a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the economic downturn.
Looking at the national situation, the Times reports that the EPA will today announce a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the economic downturn.
Last September, the EPA forecast that Ireland would have to purchase 3.6 million tonnes of emissions credits per annum under the terms of the Kyoto agreement. However, that figure has now been revised to between 1.3 and 1.8 million tonnes. The predication is based on the Economic and Social Research Institute's (ESRI) prediction that the economy will contract by 7 per cent up to 2010.
Meanwhile, Cambridge University economist Dr Terry Barker has predicted that the global economic downturn will cut global emissions by up to 50 per cent if it persists for several years.
Speaking at an international conference on the science of climate change, Dr Barker said:
“Although we are not yet confident in the modelling, carbon emissions could fall by 40 to 50 per cent in a worst case scenario, but would come right back up again when the economy recovers."
Last modified on Friday, 13 March 2009 13:08