Irish households are least green in Europe

CARBON emissions from Irish households are the highest in Europe – almost 60% higher on average than the rest of the EU.

The report, commissioned by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, reveals that while Irish homes are using just 7% more energy than the European average, they are responsible for 57% more carbon emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions from our homes are the equivalent of 9.7million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The intensification in our consumption of coal, oil and peat in recent years comes after almost a decade in decline.

One of the key reasons for the high emissions is the fuel mix used in Ireland – using more coal, peat and oil than other countries – combined with the fact that Ireland has above average energy consumption per dwelling.

Carbon emissions from Irish homes had been falling steadily for a decade, dropping by a quarter between 2005 and 2014.

But between 2014 and 2016, carbon emissions increased by 7%, according to the new SEAI study, Energy In The Residential Sector.

Most energy use in Irish homes was for central heating, followed by heating for showers or baths, the recent study said.

Government-funded programmes have already delivered energy upgrades for more than 375,000 homes.

However, the authority has said Ireland needs to sharpen its focus on its existing housing stock, do more to reduce an over-reliance on fossil fuels, and invest in energy improvements in homes for which there are significant grants.

The figures also show that oil accounts for 47% of all the energy used for heating Irish homes.

Gas accounts for 25%, while energy for heat from solid fuels, including coal and turf, accounts for 21%. The country’s combined energy bill for 2016 came to €3.4billion. The SEAI report also notes that the number of dwellings in Ireland is increasing.

There are now more than 1.7million households, which is a 40% increase since the year 2000.

However, Ireland’s population has increased by 25% during that period.

The result is a decline in the average number of people per house here.

Jim Scheer, the head of energy modelling at the SEAI, said that the authority was actively exploring better ways of helping a homeowner become more aware of the opportunities to improve their homes and wellbeing, and to finance this type of activity.

The report found that in 2016 42% of all dwellings in Ireland were detached houses.

Meanwhile, Ireland has the lowest proportion of people living in apartments of any European state at just 7%.

The next nearest member state is the UK with 15%.

The report also revealed Irish homes are among the biggest in Europe, with the fourth largest average floor area per dwelling.