Emissions of air pollutants in Ireland
Ireland: Emissions of air pollutants was 89,994 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
89,994 tonnes
Change on year
down 2.0%
World rank
102nd
of 220 countries
All-time high
181,390 tonnes
in 2001
All-time low
1,626 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Ireland, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for emissions of air pollutants in Ireland is 89,994 tonnes, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 16.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Ireland peaked at 181,390 tonnes in 2001 and was at its lowest, 1,626 tonnes, in 1750.
Ireland ranks 102nd of 220 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Ireland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,626 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,626 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1752 | 1,627 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1753 | 1,627 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1754 | 1,628 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1755 | 1,628 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1756 | 1,629 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1757 | 1,629 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1758 | 1,630 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1759 | 1,630 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 1,630 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1761 | 1,631 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1762 | 1,631 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1763 | 1,632 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1764 | 1,632 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1765 | 1,633 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1766 | 1,633 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1767 | 1,634 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1768 | 1,634 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1769 | 1,635 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1770 | 1,635 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1771 | 1,655 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1772 | 1,675 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1773 | 1,695 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1774 | 1,715 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1775 | 1,735 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1776 | 1,755 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1777 | 1,775 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1778 | 1,795 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1779 | 1,815 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1780 | 1,835 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1781 | 1,871 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1782 | 1,906 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1783 | 1,942 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1784 | 1,978 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1785 | 2,014 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1786 | 2,050 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1787 | 2,085 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1788 | 2,121 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1789 | 2,157 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1790 | 2,192 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1791 | 2,210 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1792 | 2,227 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1793 | 2,244 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1794 | 2,261 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1795 | 2,279 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1796 | 2,296 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1797 | 2,313 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1798 | 2,330 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1799 | 2,348 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1800 | 2,365 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1801 | 2,403 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1802 | 2,440 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1803 | 2,478 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1804 | 2,516 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1805 | 2,554 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1806 | 2,592 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1807 | 2,630 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1808 | 2,668 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1809 | 2,706 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1810 | 2,745 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1811 | 2,797 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1812 | 2,849 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1813 | 2,901 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1814 | 2,953 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1815 | 3,005 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1816 | 3,058 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1817 | 3,110 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1818 | 3,162 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1819 | 3,215 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1820 | 3,267 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1821 | 3,303 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1822 | 3,338 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1823 | 3,373 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1824 | 3,409 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1825 | 3,444 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1826 | 3,480 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1827 | 3,515 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1828 | 3,551 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1829 | 3,587 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1830 | 3,622 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1831 | 3,649 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1832 | 3,675 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1833 | 3,701 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1834 | 3,728 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1835 | 3,754 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1836 | 3,780 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1837 | 3,807 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1838 | 3,833 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1839 | 3,860 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1840 | 3,886 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1841 | 3,820 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1842 | 3,754 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1843 | 3,687 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1844 | 3,621 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1845 | 3,554 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1846 | 3,487 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1847 | 3,421 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1848 | 3,354 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1849 | 3,287 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1850 | 5,245 tonnes | +59.6% |
| 1851 | 3,130 tonnes | -40.3% |
| 1852 | 3,097 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1853 | 3,067 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1854 | 3,039 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1855 | 3,016 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1856 | 2,995 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1857 | 2,972 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1858 | 2,952 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1859 | 2,931 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1860 | 2,909 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1861 | 2,902 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1862 | 2,897 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1863 | 2,887 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1864 | 2,876 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1865 | 2,866 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1866 | 2,855 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1867 | 2,846 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1868 | 2,839 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1869 | 2,832 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1870 | 2,823 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1871 | 2,817 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1872 | 2,811 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1873 | 2,803 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1874 | 2,796 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1875 | 2,790 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1876 | 2,785 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1877 | 2,782 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1878 | 2,777 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1879 | 2,770 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1880 | 4,594 tonnes | +65.8% |
| 1881 | 4,578 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1882 | 2,728 tonnes | -40.4% |
| 1883 | 2,710 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1884 | 2,694 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1885 | 2,679 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1886 | 2,664 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1887 | 2,648 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1888 | 2,636 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1889 | 2,625 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1890 | 2,614 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1891 | 2,607 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1892 | 2,600 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1893 | 2,594 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1894 | 2,589 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1895 | 2,583 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1896 | 2,578 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1897 | 2,573 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1898 | 2,567 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1899 | 2,561 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1900 | 2,553 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1901 | 2,567 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1902 | 2,580 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1903 | 2,592 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1904 | 2,604 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1905 | 2,615 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1906 | 2,633 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1907 | 2,650 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1908 | 2,666 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1909 | 2,681 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1910 | 3,788 tonnes | +41.3% |
| 1911 | 2,687 tonnes | -29.1% |
| 1912 | 2,678 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1913 | 3,785 tonnes | +41.4% |
| 1914 | 3,899 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1915 | 3,770 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1916 | 3,805 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1917 | 3,839 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1918 | 3,748 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1919 | 3,737 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1920 | 3,916 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1921 | 3,433 tonnes | -12.3% |
| 1922 | 2,205 tonnes | -35.8% |
| 1923 | 2,169 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1924 | 34,136 tonnes | +1473.8% |
| 1925 | 30,846 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1926 | 40,532 tonnes | +31.4% |
| 1927 | 33,889 tonnes | -16.4% |
| 1928 | 32,580 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1929 | 49,073 tonnes | +50.6% |
| 1930 | 46,769 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1931 | 47,850 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1932 | 31,589 tonnes | -34.0% |
| 1933 | 44,589 tonnes | +41.2% |
| 1934 | 45,320 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1935 | 45,284 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1936 | 47,966 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1937 | 48,783 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1938 | 46,621 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1939 | 53,263 tonnes | +14.2% |
| 1940 | 53,043 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1941 | 38,690 tonnes | -27.1% |
| 1942 | 32,172 tonnes | -16.8% |
| 1943 | 32,261 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1944 | 28,828 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1945 | 30,812 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1946 | 36,784 tonnes | +19.4% |
| 1947 | 39,784 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1948 | 38,136 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1949 | 37,812 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1950 | 44,530 tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1951 | 52,145 tonnes | +17.1% |
| 1952 | 48,939 tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1953 | 49,626 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1954 | 43,569 tonnes | -12.2% |
| 1955 | 60,004 tonnes | +37.7% |
| 1956 | 59,790 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1957 | 53,575 tonnes | -10.4% |
| 1958 | 44,748 tonnes | -16.5% |
| 1959 | 67,246 tonnes | +50.3% |
| 1960 | 58,937 tonnes | -12.4% |
| 1961 | 62,103 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1962 | 63,485 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1963 | 67,839 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1964 | 71,719 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1965 | 70,932 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1966 | 76,648 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1967 | 89,205 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 1968 | 95,971 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1969 | 99,679 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1970 | 106,162 tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1971 | 107,607 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1972 | 109,531 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 108,923 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1974 | 115,008 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1975 | 109,169 tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1976 | 113,644 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1977 | 125,169 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1978 | 133,382 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1979 | 138,446 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 136,625 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1981 | 132,163 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1982 | 127,756 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 128,443 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1984 | 128,348 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 137,218 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1986 | 140,199 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 142,813 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1988 | 144,915 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 149,248 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1990 | 157,343 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1991 | 160,602 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 167,247 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 164,111 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 161,699 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 164,693 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1996 | 169,903 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1997 | 165,738 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1998 | 174,082 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1999 | 177,044 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 178,904 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2001 | 181,390 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 174,249 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2003 | 173,134 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 172,853 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 172,315 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 172,221 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 170,413 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 151,367 tonnes | -11.2% |
| 2009 | 124,565 tonnes | -17.7% |
| 2010 | 119,910 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2011 | 105,668 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 2012 | 107,416 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 108,343 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 108,169 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 112,925 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2016 | 112,658 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 110,829 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 111,877 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 104,312 tonnes | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 88,082 tonnes | -15.6% |
| 2021 | 91,862 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 89,994 tonnes | -2.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 89,994 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 100% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 89,994 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 88% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in Ireland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | +1473.8% | 2,169 tonnes | 34,136 tonnes |
| 1880 | +65.8% | 2,770 tonnes | 4,594 tonnes |
| 1850 | +59.6% | 3,287 tonnes | 5,245 tonnes |
| 1929 | +50.6% | 32,580 tonnes | 49,073 tonnes |
| 1959 | +50.3% | 44,748 tonnes | 67,246 tonnes |
| 1851 | -40.3% | 5,245 tonnes | 3,130 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,628 tonnes | 1,626 tonnes | 1,630 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,633 tonnes | 1,630 tonnes | 1,635 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,725 tonnes | 1,635 tonnes | 1,815 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,996 tonnes | 1,835 tonnes | 2,157 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 2,270 tonnes | 2,192 tonnes | 2,348 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 2,535 tonnes | 2,365 tonnes | 2,706 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 2,979 tonnes | 2,745 tonnes | 3,215 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 3,427 tonnes | 3,267 tonnes | 3,587 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 3,741 tonnes | 3,622 tonnes | 3,860 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 3,587 tonnes | 3,287 tonnes | 3,886 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 3,244 tonnes | 2,931 tonnes | 5,245 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,871 tonnes | 2,832 tonnes | 2,909 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 2,795 tonnes | 2,770 tonnes | 2,823 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 3,056 tonnes | 2,625 tonnes | 4,594 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 2,587 tonnes | 2,561 tonnes | 2,614 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 2,614 tonnes | 2,553 tonnes | 2,681 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 3,574 tonnes | 2,678 tonnes | 3,899 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 23,278 tonnes | 2,169 tonnes | 49,073 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 45,803 tonnes | 31,589 tonnes | 53,263 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 36,832 tonnes | 28,828 tonnes | 53,043 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 52,417 tonnes | 43,569 tonnes | 67,246 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 75,652 tonnes | 58,937 tonnes | 99,679 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 116,704 tonnes | 106,162 tonnes | 138,446 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 136,773 tonnes | 127,756 tonnes | 149,248 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 166,246 tonnes | 157,343 tonnes | 177,044 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 167,141 tonnes | 124,565 tonnes | 181,390 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 110,211 tonnes | 104,312 tonnes | 119,910 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 89,979 tonnes | 88,082 tonnes | 91,862 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
- 99 Hungary 93,676 tonnes compare
- 100 Mozambique 93,012 tonnes compare
- 101 Bulgaria 90,824 tonnes compare
- 103 Uruguay 83,677 tonnes compare
- 104 Democratic Republic of Congo 82,418 tonnes compare
- 105 Cote d'Ivoire 80,310 tonnes compare
More environment data for Ireland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 2.51 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 2.17 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.412 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.89 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.13 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.0083 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Ireland?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Ireland was 89,994 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 181,390 tonnes in 2001.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,626 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Ireland rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Ireland ranks 102nd out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are gases that are mainly formed during the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure to NOₓ gases can have negative impacts on respiratory health. NOₓ gases can also lead to the formation of ozone – another air pollutant.