Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to decrease in the EU, according to the annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2008 and inventory report 2010 published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Analysing emission levels in 2008, the report finds that the EU-27 reduced their emissions by 11.3% compared with 1990, the Kyoto Protocol base year. The EU-15 posted a 6.5% cut in their GHG discharges in the same period.
These reductions represent an emissions cut of 627 million tonnes carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents for the EU-27 and 274 million tonnes for the EU-15.
Between 2007 and 2008 alone, the original 15 EU Member States managed to reduce their emissions by 1.9%. The EU-27 achieved a 2% cut.
‘The overall EU GHG emission trend is dominated by the two largest emitters Germany and the United Kingdom, accounting for about one third of total EU-27 GHG emissions,’ the report reads. ‘These two Member States have achieved total GHG emission reductions of 417 million tonnes CO2-equivalents compared to 1990.’
The main factors that contributed to this reduction across the EU were high coal and carbon prices and a drop in natural gas prices, encouraging heat and energy producers to move from more polluting coal to cleaner gas. The economic downturn helped push down emission levels further, as manufacturing, construction and road transport were all affected by it, and entrepreneurs toned down their activities. Moreover, an increase in the use of renewable energy sources as well as biomass enhanced the trend.
‘The GHG inventory report shows that the EU is well on track to meet its emission reduction targets with domestic policy measures only,’ says Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the EEA. ‘Our policies and tools seem to be working.
‘Although we are expecting an even sharper decline in 2009, caused mainly by the recession, we need to ensure that the downward trend in emissions continues and that Europe boosts its climate investments, with the ultimate aim of achieving a more resource-efficient economy,’ she cautions.
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU-15 committed to reducing joint GHG emissions by 8% between 2008 and 2012, compared to the base year. Independent of this commitment, the European Commission and EU governments agreed on a minimum 20% cut by 2020.
The EEA is an agency of the European Union. It provides independent information on the environment and environmental policies. Towards the end of summer 2010, the agency will publish its preliminary estimates for total EU emissions in 2009, followed by more in-depth reports on trends, policy effectiveness and progress in autumn.
European Environment Agency
Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)
