Recession 'lead to air quality improvement in Ireland'

A reduction in industrial emissions brought on by the economic downturn has helped to cut air pollution levels in Ireland, it has been revealed.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the country is on track to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitment, the Irish Times reports.

Government officials will also buy credits for 8.25 million tonnes of carbon, at an expected cost of €110 million (£100 million), in order to achieve compliance by 2013.

"The Kyoto Protocol limits Ireland's emissions to an average of 62.8 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the period 2008 to 2012. This is 13 per cent above the baseline 1990 estimate," the newspaper stated.

Meanwhile, research commissioned by London mayor Boris Johnson and published last month indicated that approximately 4,300 people lose their lives early as a result of poor air quality in the English capital every year.

Mr Johnson's Cleaning the Air Strategy, which is currently going through a period of public consultation, aims to tackle air quality in London's most polluted areas, which include Tower Hill, Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Victoria Embankment.

Written by Lauren Steadman