EU gas emissions rose in 2010
The European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2010 for the first time in six years, but is still on track to meet its target under an international climate accord, the EU’s environmental agency said today.
Emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases increased by 2.4% as some EU countries bounced back from recession, the European Environment Agency said.
In addition, a colder winter than the previous year led to higher heating demand, the EEA added.
EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said: “Emissions increased in 2010. This rebound effect was expected as most of Europe came out of recession.
“However, the increase could have been even higher without the fast expansion of renewable energy generation in the EU.”
The figures were verified by member countries and submitted to the United Nations’ climate agency. The emissions for last year are still being calculated but data from the EU’s emissions trading scheme indicate a 2% decrease.
The trading system covers about 40% of the EU’s emissions, but not sectors such as transportation, household heating and agriculture.
Despite the increase in 2010, the 27-nation bloc is on track to meet its emissions targets under the Kyoto protocol, a 1997 climate accord limiting the emissions of most industrialised countries, the EEA said.
Fifteen EU countries are committed to an 8% reduction in greenhouse gases in 2008-12 compared with 1990 levels. The other 12 countries have individual targets except Malta and Cyprus.
The EU has agreed to extend the Kyoto pact when it expires at the end of this year, but other developed countries such as Canada, Japan and Russia do not want to join a second commitment period.
The US never ratified the Kyoto accord, saying it was unfair because it did not include China and other major emerging economies, and that it would hurt the US economy.
