Climate change: Increase in EU greenhouse gas emissions, May 2003

The emissions of greenhouse gases from the European Union increased for the second consecutive year in 2001, according to figures released by the European Environmental Agency on 6 May 2003, raising concerns that the European Union is moving further away from the Kyoto emissions targets.

The EEA data reveals that the total EU emissions of the six greenhouse gases, seen as the prime culprits in global climate change, increased to 4108.3 million tonnes in 2001, up 1% on the previous year. Whilst this figure meant that EU emissions in 2001 were still 2.3% less than in 1990, this was a less of a drop than in the two previous years.

The Kyoto Protocol, which has yet to be ratified by enough countries to enter into force, was negotiated in 1997 under the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It seeks to control industrialised countries' emissions of six gases in an attempt to minimise the damage caused by these gases to the world's climate. The EU, which is responsible for around 24% of industrialised countries' man-made emissions of the six gases, has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Kyoto Protocol and hence the latest EEA figures are particularly embarrassing.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU has committed itself to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 8% below their 1990 level by 2008-2012. However, the EEA emissions data shows that ten of the EU's fifteen Member States are far from achieving their share of this target, defined in a 'burden-sharing' agreement between EU governments that lays down differentiated emissions limits for each Member State with the aim of ensuring that the EU meets its overall reduction commitment. For example, Luxembourg was called upon to reduce its emissions by 28% of their 1990 level whilst Sweden only has to cut its emissions by 4%. Some Member States have been allowed to increase their emissions on their 1990 level to reflect the expected growth in their economy over that period.

The EEA report suggests that factors such as a particularly cold winter and dry climate conditions may have contributed to the increase in emissions in certain countries because they were forced to increase their use of fossil fuels for heat production whilst less rainfall reduced their capacity to produce energy using hydropower. However in Spain, figures fell for the first time in five years because of the successful increase in the use of hydropower.

In an effort to meet the Kyoto targets, the European Commission established the European Climate Change programme (ECCP) in June 2000 with the explicit aim of identifying the most environmentally beneficial and cost-effective measures to reduce emissions. To coincide with the publication of the EEA figures, the European Commission also released on 6 May 2003 the second progress report on the programme's activities. The report gives an overview of the latest results of the ECCP, including the status of implementation of measures investigated since the start of the programme. The policies and measures proposed in the report have the potential to reduce the EU's total emissions by 578-696 million tonnes, double the Kyoto target. The measures currently in force or already proposed by the European Commission include the Landfill Directive, proposals for the promotion of bio-fuels and two Directives on the energy performance of buildings and the production of electricity from renewable energy sources. The EECP report also refers to measures that could further increase the EU's potential to reduce emissions, these include: a framework for the eco-design of energy using products; fluorinated gases and a public awareness campaign on energy efficiency.

Whilst the EEA figures may not have been good news for the EU, the European Commission clearly remains committed to achieving the Kyoto targets. Commenting on the EEA figures and the EECP report, Environment Commissioner, Margot Wallström, said:

'The European Union is moving further away from meeting its commitment to achieve a substantial emissions cut under the Kyoto Protocol. The progress we have made already needs to be backed up by additional measures...Our findings demonstrate that the Kyoto targets can be met without imposing unacceptable costs on society. Meeting them is a question of political will and full and effective implementation of the measures agreed'.

Links:
European Commission:
	06.05.03:	Press Release: Commissioner Wallström calls for more stringent measures and policies to cut EU greenhouse gas emissions [IP/03/632]
	European Climate Change Programme: Homepage
	Second ECCP Progress Report: Executive Summary
	Second ECCP Progress Report: Full Report
European Environment Agency:
	06.05.03:	Press Release: EU greenhouse gas emissions rise for second year running
	Annual European Community greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2001 and inventory report 2003
BBC News Online:
	06.05.03:	Europe slips on greenhouse targets
European Sources Online: In Focus
	Climate change: EU reaches agreement on emissions trading scheme, December 2002
	Climate Change Negotiations: From Kyoto to Marrakech, November 2001
	Convention on Climate Change, Bonn, 25 October - 5 November 1999

Helen Bower

Compiled: Wednesday, 7 May 2003

The European Environmental Agency published the latest figures concerning the EU's greenhouse gas emissions on 6 May 2003