Brussels, 24/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Between 2010 and 2011, the EU's economy grew overall by 1.5%, while the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) fell by an average of 2.5%, according to initial estimates published on Wednesday 24 October by the European Environment Agency (EEA) for 2011. More good news, almost all member states and the EU as a whole are on track for respecting their commitments under the Kyoto protocol, according to the annual progress report published the same day by the European Commission. At the same time, another EEA report has come out analysing trends and forecasts for greenhouse gas emissions in Europe this year.
The 2011 emissions are consistent with the decreasing trend observed since 2004. Despite a 48% GDP increase since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 have decreased by 18%. Connie Hedegaard, Commissioner for climate action, said that, “The EU is delivering on its Kyoto commitment…These figures prove once again that emissions can be cut without sacrificing the economy. Now, it is important to keep the direction. Reaching the 20% target in 2020 does not come automatically. It calls for continued efforts. Furthermore, through new initiatives and legislation, like the Energy Efficiency Directive, the EU is on track to reduce more than the 20%” (compared to 1990). The warm winter in many countries was one of the key factors for a reduction in emissions last year. The demand for fossil fuel for heating was lower than in previous years.
Jacqueline McGlade, EEA executive director, said that the European Union as a whole was going even further than the targets set out at Kyoto. She added that the first period of Kyoto protocol commitments would come to an end in two months. She underlined the significant progress that had been made since 1997 but pointed out that all member states had to keep to their commitments in this connection.
According to EEA estimates in its report “Approximated EU greenhouse gas inventory: early estimates for 2011”, the biggest reductions were registered in countries whose emissions represent an average or low proportion of total greenhouse gas emissions (13% for Cyprus, 8% for Belgium, Finland and Denmark). With a 6% reduction in its emissions, the United Kingdom is the country that has reduced its emissions most in absolute terms, followed by France (5% reduction) and Germany (2% reduction). Nine EU member states increased emissions between 2010 and 2011. Bulgaria increased emissions by 11%, while Lithuania increased by 3% and Romanian emissions rose by 2%. However, these countries have made some of the deepest cuts in emissions overall since 1990. These EEA figures will be further consolidated by mid-2013 in the European Union's greenhouse gas inventory. The inventory will allow for a detailed analysis of emission trends in EU member states.
The sectors that have contributed most to reducing emissions are residential and commercial and were not covered by the ETS. If international aviation is excluded, as is the case with the Kyoto Protocol, EU emissions have fallen by 17.5% since 1990. According to member states' forecasts, if the policies and measures currently implemented are taken into account, EU emissions should continue to fall up to 2020 when it will register a 19% reduction compared to 1990 levels. (AN/trans/fl)