Siemens Launches Most Comprehensive Report on Dublin’s CO2 Emissions, Abatement Solutions & International Comparisons

 

Dr. Werner Kruckow, CEO, Siemens Limited and Professor Gerry Byrne, School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, UCD today launched the most comprehensive report to date for the Capital, identifying the existing challenges that Dublin faces in terms of C02 emissions and identifying international comparisons and available solutions.

 

Key Findings

 

• Adopting existing technologies could reduce annual CO2 emissions in the Dublin Region by approximately 28% by 2025.

 

• Dublin’s emissions per capita are higher than comparable international cities

 

• Technologies would be ultimately self-financing.

 

• Until 2025 investment required is less than 1% of Ireland’s GDP in the same period*.

 

• Ireland will struggle to reach its EU targets.

 

Entitled ‘Siemens Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Report: Dublin − a view to 2025’, the central finding of the report is that technologies which are available today can help Dublin reach its emissions targets, save the Exchequer money and help create significant jobs. Ireland is already exceeding its Kyoto target and will likely miss its EU 20−20−20 target which will cost the country in the form of carbon credits.

 

Commenting on the findings of the report Dr. Werner Kruckow said “It is increasingly clear that the battle for environmental sustainability will be won or lost in cities. They account for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions and 75% of global energy consumption.“

 

Providing international comparisons the report found that Dublin has the highest C02 emissions per capita than Edinburgh, Munich, Copenhagen and London (2005/2006). According to Siemens it is a formidable challenge but not an insurmountable one. The report identifies a series of technologies in the areas of buildings, energy, transportation, water and waste which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bring Ireland closer to its international Kyoto target. Of those identified 75% of them, which are readily available today, will pay for themselves by 2025 and help save in carbon credit costs. Adopting these technologies could reduce annual CO2 emissions in the Dublin Region by approximately 28% - almost 4 megatonnes (Mt) − by 2025 compared to 2005 emissions.

 

Providing an overview of Dublin City Council‘s Programme for Sustainability John Tierney, Dublin City Manager said “Technology can play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it is also key to driving modern knowledge-based economies. By reconciling the need for a more sustainable urban infrastructure with job creation and economic competitiveness, there is a real opportunity to put Dublin at the vanguard of sustainable development.”

 

Siemens is positioned in the vanguard of the drive for sustainability. “In commissioning this report we want to make our contribution by helping stakeholders take informed decisions − decisions that could have economic and environmental ramifications for generations to come.” added Dr. Kruckow.

• Download Report(pdf)