Published:
May 30, 2012 - Greenhouse gas emissions
increased in 2010, as a result of both economic
recovery in many countries after the 2009
recession and a colder winter. Nonetheless,
emissions growth was somewhat contained
by continued strong growth in renewable
energy sources. These figures from the greenhouse
gas inventory published by the European
Environment Agency (EEA) today confirm earlier
EEA estimates.
Greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions of the 27 Member States of the
European Union (EU-27) increased by 2.4
% (or 111 million tonnes CO2 equivalent)
between 2009 and 2010. This can be partially
explained by the fact that there was a sharp
7.3% (or -365 million tonnes) decrease of
emissions between 2008 and 2009.
The EU remains fully on track to meet its
Kyoto target. The long-term reduction trend
continued, since EU-27 greenhouse gas emissions
still remained 15.4 % below 11000 levels
in 2010. Emissions in the 15 Member States
with a common commitment under the Kyoto
Protocol (EU-15) in 2010 were 11 % below
the Kyoto Protocol base year. These consolidated
figures confirm earlier estimates for the
EU, published by the EEA in October 2011.
“Emissions increased in 2010. This rebound
effect was expected as most of Europe came
out of recession,” EEA Executive Director
Jacqueline McGlade said. “However, the increase
could have been even higher without the
fast expansion of renewable energy generation
in the EU.”
Why were greenhouse gas emissions higher?
Higher emissions were partly due to the
economic recovery (GDP grew by 2 % in the
EU in 2010), as many European countries
emerged from the 2009 recession. Higher
final energy demand (+3.7 % in 2010) also
contributed to the emissions growth. Moreover,
the winter in 2010 was colder than in the
previous year, leading to higher heating
demand.
However, GHG emissions growth was contained
by several factors. As in previous years
the growth in the use of renewable energy
sources continued in 2010 with a 12.7% increase
of total consumption of energy from renewable
sources. In addition, gas prices fell markedly
in 2010 and EU total consumption of gas
used for energy purposes went up by 7.4%.
The higher share of gas led to an improved
carbon intensity of fossil fuel consumption
in many Member States.
Other findings
Emissions were higher in most of the key
sectors in 2010, particularly those sectors
relying on fossil-fuel combustion. Sectors
with the highest GHG emissions growth included:
CO2 emissions from residential and commercial
sectors (caused by a higher heating demand
due to a colder winter); CO2 emissions from
manufacturing industries and construction
(including iron and steel process emissions);
and CO2 emissions from public heat and electricity
production.
Road transport emissions
continued to fall in 2010, despite more
demand for freight transport.
Higher industrial activity during 2010,
after the economic contraction in 2009,
appears to have led to higher final energy
demand and related emissions in those sectors
covered by the EU emissions trading scheme
(EU ETS) compared to other sectors.
Among the greenhouse gases reported to the
United Nations Framework Convention for
Climate Change (UNFCCC), carbon dioxide
(CO2) accounted for the largest increase
in emissions in 2010. The gas represented
82 % of total EU GHG emissions.
Industry emissions of hydroflourocarbons
(HFCs), extremely potent GHGs, grew significantly
in 2010, continuing the upward trend observed
since 11000.
Methane (8.6 % of total EU GHG emissions
in CO2 equivalent) and nitrous oxide (7.2
%) declined.
Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom accounted
for 56% of the EU’s total net increase in
GHG emissions. The relative growth in emissions
was highest in Estonia, Finland, Sweden
and Latvia. Spain, Greece and Portugal again
reported lower GHG emissions in 2010.
+ More
Do we live in a 'green
economy'? New report assesses progress in
Europe
Published: May 16, 2012
- Despite progress in some areas, Europe
must do more to create the 'green economy'
needed for the continent to become sustainable,
according to a new report from the European
Environment Agency (EEA).
The focus on green economy in Rio reflects
the issue’s importance as a key environmental
priority, and is particularly timely, given
that it can provide a path to renewed economic
growth and job creation in response to the
current severe economic crises facing Europe.
Green economy is set
to be one of the two main themes at the
United Nations Sustainable Development Summit
in Rio de Janeiro in June this year. Simply
put, a 'green economy' is one in which environmental,
economic and social policies and innovations
enable society to use resources efficiently,
while maintaining the natural systems that
sustain us.
"The focus on green economy in Rio
reflects the issue's importance as a key
environmental priority, and is particularly
timely, given that it can provide a path
to renewed economic growth and job creation
in response to the current severe economic
crises facing Europe," EEA Executive
Director Jacqueline McGlade said.
The 'Environmental indicator report 2012'
presents established indicators that illustrate
progress towards improving resource efficiency,
and indicators that depict the risk of passing
environmental thresholds. Jointly, they
enable policymakers and the public to reflect
on where Europe stands vis-à-vis
some aspects of a green economy.
Several of the indicators presented in this
report show encouraging trends, while others
point to issues that require urgent attention.
European environmental policies have helped
Europe use resources more efficiently. However,
policies aimed at making ecosystems more
resilient have been less successful. Both
are central to Europe achieving a green
economy and becoming sustainable, according
to the report.
The report emphasises that improving resource
efficiency remains necessary, but stresses
that this in itself may not be sufficient
to ensure a resilient, sustainable natural
environment. In some cases, reduced ecosystem
resilience may even be irreversible, for
example biodiversity loss leading to species
extinction, or when environmental or climate
tipping points are passed.
Following these findings, the report also
considers the merits of designing policy
objectives and targets that more explicitly
address the links between resource efficiency,
ecosystem resilience and human well-being
to support the transition to a green economy.
Key findings
The report uses well-established environmental
indicators, assessing progress towards a
green economy along six environmental themes.
Nitrogen emissions and threats to biodiversity:
progress has been made to reduce pollution
causing acidification and eutrophication.
However, nitrogen emissions from sewage
and agriculture remain high, and these pollutants
continue to damage ecosystems and habitats.
Carbon emissions and climate change: domestic
greenhouse gas emissions have decreased
substantially across the European Union
but continue to rise on the global level.
Rising temperatures threaten ecosystem resilience.
Air pollution and air quality: air pollutant
emissions have decreased in many parts of
Europe; nonetheless, poor air quality is
still a serious health issue, particularly
in many cities.
The marine environment: overfishing, shipping
and other maritime activities put pressure
on the marine environment; leading to altered,
often less resilient marine ecosystems.
Stress on water resources: managing water
use and demand has helped reduce water use
in all sectors; but high levels of water
stress still endanger ecosystems in European
water bodies. This problem is exacerbated
by climate change and inefficient water
use in some areas.
Use of material resources: there has been
progress in 'decoupling' economic growth
and material resource use. However, overall
consumption and production patterns are
not sustainable.
The report was presented to members of parliament
(MPs) from more than 20 EU Member States
during a visit to the EEA on Monday 14 May
2012.
Slovak MP Mikuláš Huba, Chairman
of the Agriculture and Environment Committee
said: "Green economy is mentioned in
the government's programme in Slovakia.
This is a positive first step, but we are
yet to see what might develop in terms of
action." He added: "I believe
it is very important to carefully consider
the outcomes of economic decisions, so growth
and job creation (even if called 'green')
do not result environmental destruction."
José Llorens Torres MP, who is President
of the Spanish government's Commission on
Agriculture, Food and Environment, explained
the need for a green economy in his country:
"Spain has to both comply with EU objectives
to reduce carbon emissions, and we have
to reduce the deficit in line with the demands
of the EU."
UK MP Joan Walley, Chair of the UK government's
Environmental Audit Committee said: "Everyone
understands what is meant by business as
usual but few have signed up for the step
change now urgently needed if we are to
withstand the pressures on the earth's natural
resources. The EEA's measured and robust
research is the necessary point of departure
if we are to safeguard our future. Their
work needs to be understood, applied and
used by all government departments including
the Treasury."
