EVs & biofuels play a crucial role in reducing emissions - Minister of Transport of Ireland

Caspian Energy (CE): What recent policies or initiatives have been most effective in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions in the transport sector?

Darragh O’Brien, Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy, the Environment, and Transport: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ireland released its provisional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data in early July, which showed that transport emissions are now 5.4% below pre-COVID levels and 2024 marked the first post-COVID emissions decrease in the transport sector. In total, the domestic transport sector emitted 11.65 MtCO2eq in 2024, compared to 11.79 MtCO2eq in 2023 – a 1.2% decrease year-on-year. This was achieved against a backdrop of economic growth (as expressed by modified domestic demand/MFDD) of 2.7% during 2024 and population growth of 1.9% to April 2024, meaning we are now seeing an absolute decoupling of transport emissions from economic growth.

 The reduction in transport emissions from 2023 to 2024 also suggests that emissions from the transport sector have peaked and demonstrates the positive impact of demand management and decarbonisation measures introduced in recent years, with increases in the use of biofuels and electric vehicles being major factors behind the emissions decrease.

EVs play a crucial role in reducing emissions and there are now over 171,000 electric vehicles on Irish roads, with Ireland on track to meet the target of 195,000 EVs by the end of 2025. EV uptake in 2025 has been very positive, with the trajectory showing a steady increase in month-on-month registrations.

Biofuels delivered emissions abatement of 1 MtCO2eq in 2024 and continue to be a major driver in the short term for the decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles.

We are also seeing exceptional growth in public transport patronage with over 343.6 million passenger journeys in 2024, as well as the introduction of over 160 new or enhanced routes since 2020.