Greenhouse gas emissions in the Republic of Ireland are at their lowest level in 30 years, according to the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Almost every sector showed a fall in 2023, contributing to an overall reduction of 6.8%.

It is the largest reduction outside of years when the economy was in recession and is the second consecutive annual reduction.

But the country is "still well off track" to meet EU and national 2030 targets, the EPA said.

Laura Burke, EPA director general, said the findings were "significant" and signalled "the impact of climate action and decarbonisation measures across Ireland's economy and society".

The biggest decrease was seen in the energy sector, where emissions fell by 21.6%.

That was largely due to a 12-fold increase in imported electricity, an increase in the share of renewable energy and a reduction in the use of coal, oil and peat.