Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Ireland
Ireland: Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions was 10,673 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
10,673 tonnes
Change on year
down 15.0%
World rank
139th
of 220 countries
All-time high
239,753 tonnes
in 1979
All-time low
1,912 tonnes
in 1923
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions 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
Ireland recorded 10,673 tonnes for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in 2022.
That represents a change of down 15.0% on the previous year and down 59.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Ireland peaked at 239,753 tonnes in 1979 and was at its lowest, 1,912 tonnes, in 1923.
Ireland ranks 139th 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.
Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Ireland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 2,783 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 2,781 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1752 | 2,779 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1753 | 2,777 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1754 | 2,775 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1755 | 2,773 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1756 | 2,770 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1757 | 2,768 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1758 | 2,766 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1759 | 2,764 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1760 | 2,762 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1761 | 2,760 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1762 | 2,758 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1763 | 2,756 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1764 | 2,753 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1765 | 2,751 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1766 | 2,749 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1767 | 2,747 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1768 | 2,745 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1769 | 2,743 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1770 | 2,740 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1771 | 2,771 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1772 | 2,801 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1773 | 2,832 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1774 | 2,862 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1775 | 2,892 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1776 | 2,922 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1777 | 2,952 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1778 | 2,982 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1779 | 3,012 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1780 | 3,041 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1781 | 3,098 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1782 | 3,153 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1783 | 3,209 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1784 | 3,265 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1785 | 3,320 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1786 | 3,375 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1787 | 3,430 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1788 | 3,485 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1789 | 3,540 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1790 | 3,594 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1791 | 3,618 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1792 | 3,643 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1793 | 3,667 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1794 | 3,691 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1795 | 3,715 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1796 | 3,739 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1797 | 3,762 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1798 | 3,786 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1799 | 3,810 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1800 | 3,833 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1801 | 3,886 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1802 | 3,939 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1803 | 3,991 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1804 | 4,044 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1805 | 4,096 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1806 | 4,148 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1807 | 4,199 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1808 | 4,251 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1809 | 4,302 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1810 | 4,353 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1811 | 4,426 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1812 | 4,499 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1813 | 4,571 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1814 | 4,643 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1815 | 4,715 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1816 | 4,786 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1817 | 4,858 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1818 | 4,929 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1819 | 5,000 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1820 | 5,070 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1821 | 5,114 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1822 | 5,157 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1823 | 5,200 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1824 | 5,243 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1825 | 5,286 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1826 | 5,329 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1827 | 5,371 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1828 | 5,413 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1829 | 5,456 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1830 | 5,498 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1831 | 5,525 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1832 | 5,553 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1833 | 5,580 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1834 | 5,607 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1835 | 5,634 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1836 | 5,661 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1837 | 5,688 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1838 | 5,715 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1839 | 5,741 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1840 | 5,768 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1841 | 5,656 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1842 | 5,546 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1843 | 5,435 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1844 | 5,325 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1845 | 5,215 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1846 | 5,106 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1847 | 4,997 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1848 | 4,888 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1849 | 4,780 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1850 | 9,290 tonnes | +94.4% |
| 1851 | 4,447 tonnes | -52.1% |
| 1852 | 4,350 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1853 | 4,274 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1854 | 4,211 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1855 | 4,176 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1856 | 4,155 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1857 | 4,127 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1858 | 4,114 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1859 | 4,100 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1860 | 4,079 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1861 | 4,062 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1862 | 4,058 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1863 | 4,027 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1864 | 3,985 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1865 | 3,960 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1866 | 3,920 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1867 | 3,901 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1868 | 3,891 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1869 | 3,883 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1870 | 3,867 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1871 | 3,856 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1872 | 3,843 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1873 | 3,817 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1874 | 3,801 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1875 | 3,790 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1876 | 3,791 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 3,796 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 3,795 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1879 | 3,786 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1880 | 7,872 tonnes | +107.9% |
| 1881 | 7,839 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1882 | 3,689 tonnes | -52.9% |
| 1883 | 3,644 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1884 | 3,614 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1885 | 3,593 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1886 | 3,573 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1887 | 3,544 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1888 | 3,510 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1889 | 3,483 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1890 | 3,459 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1891 | 3,436 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1892 | 3,408 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1893 | 3,391 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1894 | 3,379 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1895 | 3,361 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1896 | 3,349 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1897 | 3,341 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1898 | 3,333 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1899 | 3,322 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1900 | 3,301 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1901 | 3,292 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1902 | 3,285 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1903 | 3,273 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1904 | 3,263 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1905 | 3,250 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1906 | 3,240 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1907 | 3,222 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1908 | 3,205 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1909 | 3,190 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1910 | 5,703 tonnes | +78.8% |
| 1911 | 3,135 tonnes | -45.0% |
| 1912 | 3,094 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1913 | 5,667 tonnes | +83.1% |
| 1914 | 5,924 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1915 | 5,599 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1916 | 5,719 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1917 | 5,840 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1918 | 5,664 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1919 | 5,690 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1920 | 6,158 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1921 | 4,851 tonnes | -21.2% |
| 1922 | 1,961 tonnes | -59.6% |
| 1923 | 1,912 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1924 | 80,232 tonnes | +4095.5% |
| 1925 | 72,524 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1926 | 96,672 tonnes | +33.3% |
| 1927 | 80,609 tonnes | -16.6% |
| 1928 | 77,692 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1929 | 118,906 tonnes | +53.0% |
| 1930 | 113,637 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1931 | 116,994 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1932 | 76,855 tonnes | -34.3% |
| 1933 | 110,164 tonnes | +43.3% |
| 1934 | 112,665 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1935 | 113,227 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1936 | 120,365 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1937 | 122,766 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1938 | 117,514 tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1939 | 134,974 tonnes | +14.9% |
| 1940 | 134,765 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1941 | 98,141 tonnes | -27.2% |
| 1942 | 81,542 tonnes | -16.9% |
| 1943 | 82,022 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1944 | 73,110 tonnes | -10.9% |
| 1945 | 78,417 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1946 | 92,978 tonnes | +18.6% |
| 1947 | 99,603 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1948 | 94,336 tonnes | -5.3% |
| 1949 | 92,545 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1950 | 99,051 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1951 | 103,074 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1952 | 92,063 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1953 | 90,056 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1954 | 88,380 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1955 | 109,698 tonnes | +24.1% |
| 1956 | 97,864 tonnes | -10.8% |
| 1957 | 87,066 tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1958 | 84,469 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1959 | 109,207 tonnes | +29.3% |
| 1960 | 73,478 tonnes | -32.7% |
| 1961 | 82,701 tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1962 | 92,323 tonnes | +11.6% |
| 1963 | 99,947 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1964 | 110,021 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1965 | 114,096 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1966 | 124,424 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1967 | 141,806 tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1968 | 143,520 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1969 | 153,747 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1970 | 166,479 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1971 | 196,657 tonnes | +18.1% |
| 1972 | 193,227 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1973 | 187,530 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1974 | 208,371 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1975 | 188,261 tonnes | -9.7% |
| 1976 | 198,570 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1977 | 212,010 tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1978 | 214,115 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1979 | 239,753 tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1980 | 216,974 tonnes | -9.5% |
| 1981 | 190,094 tonnes | -12.4% |
| 1982 | 150,478 tonnes | -20.8% |
| 1983 | 139,118 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1984 | 135,564 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1985 | 139,854 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1986 | 202,365 tonnes | +44.7% |
| 1987 | 180,955 tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1988 | 148,570 tonnes | -17.9% |
| 1989 | 154,297 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 184,121 tonnes | +19.3% |
| 1991 | 185,100 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1992 | 172,174 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1993 | 164,047 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1994 | 179,022 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1995 | 167,176 tonnes | -6.6% |
| 1996 | 154,662 tonnes | -7.5% |
| 1997 | 173,019 tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1998 | 183,850 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1999 | 165,415 tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2000 | 147,759 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 2001 | 145,837 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2002 | 111,241 tonnes | -23.7% |
| 2003 | 88,096 tonnes | -20.8% |
| 2004 | 77,794 tonnes | -11.7% |
| 2005 | 75,872 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 66,234 tonnes | -12.7% |
| 2007 | 61,115 tonnes | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 50,289 tonnes | -17.7% |
| 2009 | 36,275 tonnes | -27.9% |
| 2010 | 30,843 tonnes | -15.0% |
| 2011 | 27,876 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 2012 | 26,419 tonnes | -5.2% |
| 2013 | 26,164 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 20,118 tonnes | -23.1% |
| 2015 | 17,663 tonnes | -12.2% |
| 2016 | 16,954 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 2017 | 16,430 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 15,733 tonnes | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 12,609 tonnes | -19.9% |
| 2020 | 11,484 tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2021 | 12,550 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 2022 | 10,673 tonnes | -15.0% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 10,673 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 26,427 tonnes, 40% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 10,673 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 40,466 tonnes, 26% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions 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 | +4095.5% | 1,912 tonnes | 80,232 tonnes |
| 1880 | +107.9% | 3,786 tonnes | 7,872 tonnes |
| 1850 | +94.4% | 4,780 tonnes | 9,290 tonnes |
| 1913 | +83.1% | 3,094 tonnes | 5,667 tonnes |
| 1910 | +78.8% | 3,190 tonnes | 5,703 tonnes |
| 1922 | -59.6% | 4,851 tonnes | 1,961 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 2,774 tonnes | 2,764 tonnes | 2,783 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 2,752 tonnes | 2,743 tonnes | 2,762 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 2,877 tonnes | 2,740 tonnes | 3,012 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 3,292 tonnes | 3,041 tonnes | 3,540 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 3,702 tonnes | 3,594 tonnes | 3,810 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 4,069 tonnes | 3,833 tonnes | 4,302 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 4,678 tonnes | 4,353 tonnes | 5,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 5,264 tonnes | 5,070 tonnes | 5,456 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 5,620 tonnes | 5,498 tonnes | 5,741 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 5,272 tonnes | 4,780 tonnes | 5,768 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 4,724 tonnes | 4,100 tonnes | 9,290 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 3,977 tonnes | 3,883 tonnes | 4,079 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 3,814 tonnes | 3,786 tonnes | 3,867 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 4,436 tonnes | 3,483 tonnes | 7,872 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 3,378 tonnes | 3,322 tonnes | 3,459 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 3,252 tonnes | 3,190 tonnes | 3,301 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 5,203 tonnes | 3,094 tonnes | 5,924 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 54,152 tonnes | 1,912 tonnes | 118,906 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 113,916 tonnes | 76,855 tonnes | 134,974 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 92,746 tonnes | 73,110 tonnes | 134,765 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 96,093 tonnes | 84,469 tonnes | 109,698 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 113,606 tonnes | 73,478 tonnes | 153,747 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 200,497 tonnes | 166,479 tonnes | 239,753 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 165,827 tonnes | 135,564 tonnes | 216,974 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 172,859 tonnes | 154,662 tonnes | 185,100 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 86,051 tonnes | 36,275 tonnes | 147,759 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 21,081 tonnes | 12,609 tonnes | 30,843 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,569 tonnes | 10,673 tonnes | 12,550 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More energy & mining data for Ireland
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -1.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 6.2% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Ireland?
- Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions in Ireland was 10,673 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 coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 239,753 tonnes in 1979.
- What is the lowest coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,912 tonnes in 1923.
- How does Ireland rank for coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions?
- Ireland ranks 139th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.6%. 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 Coal consumption and sulphur dioxide emissions. 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
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is an air pollutant formed from the burning of fuels that contain sulfur, such as coal. SO₂ is one of the main chemicals that forms acid rain.