IRELAND ACHIEVED ITS air pollution reduction targets in 2024 for all major pollutants and is on track to reach its 2030 goals, a review by the Environmental Protection Agency has found.

In 2024 reductions aimed for ammonia, non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter took place in line with the country’s targets.

These pollutants impact air quality, people’s health, and the environment generally.

The agricultural sector accounts for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland, and in the past Ireland has failed to reduce emissions of the pollutant.

However, as in the previous two years, in 2024 the EPA found that the spread of low-mission slurry in combination with a reduction in dairy cattle numbers and a range of good farming practices meant that the target was realised.

In general pollutant emissions in many categories have been declining since the 90s.

Particulate matter (a mixture of dust soot and chemicals being present in the air from burning fuel, construction and other activities) which can significantly impact on human health is down by 67%.

Pollutants linked to acid rain have also reduced – sulphur dioxide is down by 96% and nitrogen oxide is down by 67%. These reductions have been largely driven by lower fossil fuel use in power generation and residential heating.

Roni Hawe, the Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said that Ireland is on track to meet its 2030 EU Emissions Reduction Targets for all five major air pollutants.

“The EPA’s assessment confirms that progress is delivering clear benefits for air quality, human health and sensitive ecosystems,” she further said.

Hawe added that the spread of low-emission slurry alone avoided an estimated 8,526 tonnes of ammonia being released into the atmosphere.

Dr Tomás Murray, the Senior Manager of EPA Emissions Statistics said: “This is good news. We can hit our air pollutant reduction goals if we stay on course with the National Air Pollution Control Programme. By moving away from fossil fuels to generate our electricity and continued adoption of a good range of good farming practices, we aren’t just achieving targets but also actively protecting our health and our environment”.

The EPA is calling for low-emission slurry to be used even more widely.