Preliminary GHG Inventory Shows EU-15 Emissions Dropped 0.9% Between 2005 and 2006
21 April 2008
Provisional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA) show that EU-15 Member States reduced their emissions by 0.9% between 2005 and 2006, with an overall reduction of 35.8 million tonnes CO2 equivalent. EU-15 emissions now stand 2.7% below their base-year emissions. EU-15 has a common reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol of –8% to 2008–2012 compared to a base year, which is in most cases 1990, but some Member States have chosen 1995 for fluorinated-gases.
During the same period (2005—2006), EU-27 emissions decreased by 0.3% or 15 million tonnes CO2 equivalent and are now 7.4 % below 1990 levels. The EU has made a firm independent commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% between 1990 and 2020.
Early indications show that households and offices are the main contributors to the decreasing trend in emissions between 2005 and 2006, with 15.1 million tonnes CO2 equivalent saved in EU-27. France, Italy and the United Kingdom showed the most significant emission cuts in this sector. Milder winters are likely to have led to lower energy consumption in homes.
On the other hand, CO2 emissions from electricity and heat production increased by 14.0 million tonnes in EU-27. From 1990 to 2005, GHG emissions in the European transport sector have increased by 25.6%, according to final data submitted to the UN last year.
The recent downward trend shown by EU-27 was offset by a major revision of the 1990 emission data. As a result, this year’s report shows that EU-27 recorded 0.5 percentage points less progress compared to 1990, although total GHG emissions have clearly decreased. Some Member States and the EU are therefore obliged to intensify efforts to cut climate-changing gas emissions.
The EEA annually compiles the European Community greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report, which is formally submitted by the European Commission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agency will present a more detailed analysis—based on the consolidated numbers—in June 2008.
EU-15: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom.
EU-27: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom.
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Looks like the EU-15 won't make their goal for 2012, but a small reduction is better than nothing at all. Keep in mind that although the effort is marketed as a way to protect the climate, Europe also has solid economic reasons for trying to keep a lid on fossil fuel consumption.
In absolute terms, Europe already achieves greater GDP per unit of fossil fuel than the US. However, imports from Russia and OPEC make up a much larger share of the fossil fuel market, creating massive capital outflows and strategic dependency. This makes a lot of people uncomfortable, above all the citizens of former Soviet satellites.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 21 April 2008 at 07:03 AM
The EU is at least going the right direction. I'm not sure a yearly statistic is all that accurate when you measure less that one percent. But over time there is a trend.
I was again startled by the use of "between". To me there is no interval "between 2005 and 2006" (less a second was inserted to adjust for the Earth's rotation). But language is not fixed by me. So "between" it is.
Posted by: K | 21 April 2008 at 02:23 PM
Does it really matter how much Europe or anyone really cut their Emissions? China, India and Russia will make up for them--and plenty more very soon.
There is no reversing emissions. We ARE at our world-lows as far as output is concerned.
No where to go but up from here.
Nate H.
Dover, Ohio
Posted by: Nate H. | 21 April 2008 at 02:43 PM
I don't trust thier numbers.
There is a strong incentive for them to cheat.
Statistics can be twisted a million different ways.
This is why the US never signed on to the Kyoto Agreement.
Why should we "pay out" when other countries are cheating like crazy.
Would you trust those Euro-tards ???
Posted by: Monkey Man | 21 April 2008 at 03:18 PM
I could not disagree more with Monkey Man's comments, especially in tone. Our politicians whip up tribal emotions in us because it is in their interest. It does not mean we should allow ourselves to be brainwashed and herded like sheep into tribal behavior.
I myself wonder how accurate the various pollution inventories are, but is there any reason to question European inventory process more than ours? I disagree with European positions on many issues, but I do not think name-calling serves any purpose.
Posted by: Michael | 24 April 2008 at 06:24 AM