2024 was a key year for the EPA in the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment

• In 2024, the EPA completed more inspections, monitoring, and sampling than ever before, including:
  • Over 2,500 waterbodies monitored
  • Over 1,300 inspections of industrial and waste facilities
  • Over 210 urban wastewater treatment plant inspections
  • 200+ Drinking water plant inspections
  • Continuous air quality monitoring at 115 stations
• The EPA’s 2004 State of the Environment report highlights that across the five key indicators (air, water, climate, nature and waste), Ireland’s scores range from Moderate to Very Poor, and requires immediate, transformative action.

In its Annual Highlights, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showcases its work in addressing environmental challenges across Ireland.

Publishing the review, EPA Director General, Laura Burke said:

“A key priority for the EPA continues to be the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment. In 2024, the EPA published our landmark four-year assessment of the State of Ireland’s Environment. The report highlights the progress that Ireland has made, however, it identifies that future prosperity and health are threatened unless we better protect our environment. Delivering on the five key environmental priorities identified in the State of the Environment Report would support providing a healthy, clean and resilient environment for ourselves and future generations.”

During 2024, the EPA also published over 50 major reports on water, air, circular economy, environmental compliance and more. Highlights include:

• Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 6.8% in 2023 – their lowest level in over three decades.
• 16 towns and villages continued to discharge raw sewage daily in 2024 – a reduction from 19 in 2023 but still unacceptably high.
• A 2024 report showed that Ireland continues to rely on exporting municipal waste with 1.24 million tonnes (39%) of all municipal waste being exported in 2022.
• 79% of bathing waters in Ireland had excellent water quality in 2023.
• EPA awarded funding of €18.5 million for environmental and climate research, a significant increase over previous years.
• Latest figures show that less than a third of packaging waste is being recycled (2022 figures).
• EPA’s Climate Change in The Irish Mind study showed that 53% of the Irish population correctly understands that climate change is caused mostly by human activities.

Concluding, Ms Burke added, “In 2025, the EPA will continue to use our expertise, extensive monitoring systems, evidence and research to protect, improve, and restore Ireland’s environment.”

Further information is available in the EPA’s Highlights 2024.

The EPA

The EPA is responsible for protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and pollution.

The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas:

• Regulation: Implementing regulation and environmental compliance systems to deliver good environmental outcomes and target those who don’t comply.
• Knowledge: Providing high quality, targeted and timely environmental data, information and assessment to inform decision making.
• Advocacy: Working with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable environmental practices.