Due to growing scientific and political consensus, climate change is quickly rising up the agenda of large industry. Increasingly, large industry is recognising that they can make a significant contribution to combating climate change and also that their contribution need not hinder economic development and may in fact bring new opportunities.
Large industry in Ireland, as with all business sectors, has experienced unprecedented growth since 1990. Our economy has grown by 169% between 1990 and 2006 and our greenhouse gas emissions have grown accordingly (Energy In Ireland 1990 – 2006 - SEI). This economic growth, along with and partly due to Irelands expanding population and phenomenal rate of infrastructural development and house building, has resulted in Ireland’s output of greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from 2006, being 25.5% above the 1990 levels. In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol Ireland must reduce its carbon output to 13% above the 1990 levels by 2012.
In 2005 large industry was responsible for generation of 10.145Mt CO2 of energy related greenhouse gas emissions ( Energy in Industry 2007 – SEI). Under the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland must not exceed 63 Mt CO2 / annum between 2008 and 2012.
Large industry therefore represents a very significant amount of Irelands emissions. There are approximately 4,850 large industries in Ireland and these if Ireland is to meet its climate change obligations, everyone involved in the sector has the power and responsibility to take action.