Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU are the lowest since 1990 – NRK

– There goes the right way. Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU declined by more than 24 percent, says section Elin Okstad by Environment Directorate to NRK.

A new report shows that greenhouse gas emissions in the EU is now at its lowest level since 1990. the figures come from the EU’s annual greenhouse gas accounts reported to the UN.

because the figures will take some time to collect and process, extend the series up until 2014. This is the newest figures now available. 2015 figures are expected to fall.

– EU as a whole has reduced emissions much. It is partly due to economic restructuring in some countries that previously contaminated lot, for example countries in the Eastern bloc, says Okstad.

An important step to achieve climate targets

the reduction is more accurate at 4.1 percent compared to the previous year, equivalent to 185 million tons of CO₂ equivalents. Since 1990, emissions decreased by 1.383 billion tons, and lay on 4.282 billion tons in 2014.

The trend is partly due to an increasing proportion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and use of less carbon-intensive fuels. A milder climate has also given less need for heating in households.

But not all sectors have been equally good. Emissions from road transport increased for example with 124 million tonnes for the period from 1990 to 2014 and seven million tons for 2013-2014. Emissions from international transport in air and at sea have increased significantly.

– This is an important step towards climate targets for 2030 and 2050. Now we need to focus even more on technology and innovation so that we become less dependent on fossil fuels, says Hans Bruyninckx in the European environment agency, responsible for the report.

today provides hydroelectric power for 96-98 percent of Norwegian electricity. Here Rein Fors dam at Skonseng i Rana.

Photo: John Petter Reinertsen

Norway laggards

Although the EU as a whole is on track, it is difficult to say the same about Norway. Okstad has controlled the figures until the end of 2015.

– After a slight decline from 2013 to 2014, the emissions were up again last year. About the same applies to the EU, we will not answer until later.

In 2015 totaled 53.9 million CO₂ equivalents from Norwegian territory – 0.8 million tons more than the previous year.

Although we have a high percentage of renewable energy in this country, have the cuts that have been made in various sectors in Norway equalized by an increasing amount of emissions from oil and gas production.

– the goal is a 40 percent reduction in emissions by 2030. for some sectors, such as transport and agriculture, this must be said to be an ambitious goal requiring major cuts to reach the goal, says Okstad.