The report, compiled by the National Environmental Technology Centre (NETCEN) for DEFRA gives the greenhouse gas emission trends for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It stated that Northern Ireland's overall emissions of greenhouse gases, those responsible for global warming, were 1.9 per cent higher in 2002 than in 1990. This compares to an 18 per cent decrease in England, a 5.6 per cent decrease in Scotland and an 8.6 per cent decrease in Wales in the same period.

Similarly, our Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions, the most significant greenhouse gas (CO₂ accounts for more than 80 per cent of the emissions that contribute to climate change), were 3.0 per cent higher in 2002 than in 1990. This compares with an overall UK decrease of 8.7 per cent with reductions of 10.8 per cent in England, 5.9 per cent in Wales and 3.2 per cent in Scotland.

According to the report, road transport accounted for 31 per cent of Northern Ireland's CO₂ emissions in 2002, overtaking energy production as the single largest contributor. This contrasts sharply with the rest of the UK, where energy production is the largest single source of CO₂ emissions. Northern Ireland's over reliance on private transport and our poor public transport infrastructure shoulder a large part of the blame for our disappointing record.

"If there was an end of term report card on climate change performance, I suspect Northern Ireland's comments would say 'must do better'. We urgently need a new long term energy policy to reduce energy consumption and switch from fossil fuels to renewable resources. It's clear that current policies are failing. Given that Tony Blair has highlighted the need for urgent action on this issue, the Northern Ireland Administration must move quickly to tackle this problem," said Malachy Campbell, policy officer at WWF Northern Ireland.

"Development and investment in public transport will be a key factor in tackling emissions. Electric buses and trams and hydrogen powered buses provide one element of policies to reduce pollution in many European cities like Manchester, London, Amsterdam and Madrid," said Campbell.

"Our Administration needs to focus on finding realistic options for Northern Ireland's transport infrastructure which reduce our CO₂ output and provide a viable alternative and reliable service for those wishing to leave their cars at home."