Road transport accounts for 11.9% of global CO2 emissions annually, with 60% from passenger vehicles (cars, motorcycles, buses) and 40% from road freight (lorries, trucks). Despite its smaller share, air travel and freight is responsible for 0.6 billion tons of CO2 , accounting for 2% of global emissions each year.
Transport in Ireland is the largest source of CO2 emissions, making up 40% of the country’s emissions in 2022. It is the area with the most significant growth in emissions since 2012. Transport-related air pollution has halved since 1990 due to advancements in technology and stricter vehicle emissions controls. However, the increasing number of vehicles continues to raise concerns over carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate emissions.
To address these issues, Ireland has ambitious plans:
- A target of 936,000 electric vehicles by 2030
- The introduction of hybrid public buses in urban areas since 2019
- The development of over 200km of new cycling infrastructure
