According to a recent Stormont report, greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland have increased.
Emissions increased by 5% in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera).
The emissions were down by about 23% from 1990, according to longer-term trends, though.
Emissions from most sectors increased, though agriculture continued to contribute the most (27.6%).
Transport, agriculture, and energy supply saw the biggest increases.
The only two industries that did not experience an increase in emissions were waste management and public buildings.
By 2030, Northern Ireland hopes to have cut emissions by at least 48%.
The report's findings, according to Steven Agnew, director of RenewableNI, were disappointing.
We cannot afford to go backwards, he said, noting that climate change's effects are already being felt in Northern Ireland.
To enable electricity projects to reduce emissions from various sectors, he urged swift reform.
"Putting a plug on something is the fastest way to decarbonize something," he continued.
"By 2030, the Climate Act set a goal of generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources.
"Compared to the current level, this will reduce electricity emissions by 75%.
Additionally, we can lessen those industries' climate impact by electrifying transportation and heating. ".
According to Mr. Agnew, members of RenewableNI have enough projects in the works to completely eliminate carbon emissions from the electricity system by 2035.
"Unfortunately, the wait time for large-scale renewable energy projects is typically between two and five years. Investment is shifting elsewhere as a result.
"The slow pace of policy change is preventing Northern Ireland from significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and from lowering consumer energy costs. ".
5.3 percent of the UK's total greenhouse gas emissions, or 426.5 MtCO2e, were produced in Northern Ireland in 2021.
Between 1990 and 2021, emissions in the UK decreased by almost 48 percent.
Northern Ireland reduced emissions by 23.2 percent during the same time period, compared to England's 50.2 percent, Scotland's 49.3 percent, and Wales' 35.0 percent.
