Over £14 billion more in products and services could be produced in Northern Ireland’s economy each year if greenhouse gas-producing resources were used as efficiently as they are in the rest of the UK, according to researchers at Queen’s University Belfast.

To calculate that figure, the Sustainability and Management Research Group at Queen’s University Management School used the sustainable value approach, which links greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and economic performance.

A study found that the Northern Ireland economy earns only £1,208 for every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted, which is about £650 less than the average for England, Scotland and Wales.

According to the researchers, the effect of Northern Ireland emitting around 22.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year in a less efficient way than Great Britain, is that its economy loses about £14.4 billion.

“If Northern Ireland is to achieve the same level of efficiency as Great Britain at its current level of GHG emissions, local economic output would have to increase by about 53 per cent,” said lead researcher Frank Figge. “If we want to meet both our economic and sustainability targets then we must become more GHG-efficient. Our analysis shows that there is scope for significant efficiency improvements.”

He added, “As the UK economy moves towards a low-carbon economy, greenhouse gas performance and efficiencies will become increasingly important to regional competitiveness. Countries and regions with low GHG efficiencies may therefore find themselves at a disadvantage. The sustainable value approach has proven to be a valuable tool that can help regions assess their GHG efficiencies, now and in the future.”

“Realising the opportunities for improved efficiencies and economic output will require new and innovative approaches from all Northern Ireland sectors,” added Herb Castillo, research fellow at Queen’s University Management School. “Among other things, there is a need for greater utilisation of cleaner technologies and processes, improved management of energy use and carbon impacts, engaging the public and increasing awareness.”

Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all underperform compared with the English economy with respect to GHG emissions, with Wales having the least efficient performance of all four countries when carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane are taken into account.

Differences in industry structure may account for this, with the iron and steel industry playing a more important role in Wales than other parts of the UK. In terms of carbon dioxide efficiency, however, Northern Ireland did manage to narrow its performance gap between 1990 and 2006.

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