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Recession and renewables cut greenhouse emissions in 2009: Greenhouse gas emissions decreased very sharply in 2009, by 7.1 % in the EU-27 and 6.9 % in the EU-15. These most recent results, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), confirm estimates made by the EEA last year. This decrease was largely the result of the economic recession of 2009, but also sustained strong growth in renewable energy.
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Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2009 and inventory report 2011: This report is the annual submission of the greenhouse gas inventory of the European Union to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. It presents greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2009 for EU-27, EU-15, individual Member States and economic sector.
Located in Publications
Energy efficiency and specific CO2 emissions (TERM 027) - Assessment published Jan 2011: Specific CO 2 emissions of road transport have decreased since 1995, mainly due to an improvement in the fuel efficiency of passenger car transport. Recent EU Regulation setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars is expected to further reduce CO 2 emissions from light-duty vehicles in view of the 130 g/km and 95 g/km emission targets set for 2015 and 2020 respectively. Specific CO 2 emissions of air transport, although decreasing, are of the same order of magnitude as for road, while rail and maritime shipping remain the most energy efficient modes of passenger transport. Specific energy efficiency of light and heavy duty trucks has improved, but road transport still consumes significantly more energy per tonne-km than rail or ship freight transport.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Energy efficiency and specific CO2 emissions
Emission intensity of public conventional thermal power electricity and heat production (ENER 008) - Assessment published Jan 2011: The emissions and emissions intensity of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) from public conventional thermal power plants has decreased substantially since 1990, particularly in the case of SO 2 and NO x . This is primarily due to a decline in the use of coal, and replacement of old, inefficient coal plant as well as the use of abatement techniques. However, since 2000 a rise in the coal-fired electricity production has slowed the decline in emissions intensity. Rising overall electricity consumption has also acted to partly offset the environmental benefits from improvements in emissions intensity.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Emission intensity of public conventional thermal power electricity and heat production
Observed global fossil fuel CO2 emissions compared with six scenarios from the IPCC: IPCC scenarios shown are from the IPCC Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (IPCC, 2000). Past emission data are from the Carbon Dioxide Information and Analysis Center (CDIAC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA)
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
The probability of exceeding 2 °C global warming versus CO2 emitted from 2000–2049: Text bellow the image
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Emissions from public electricity and heat production - explanatory indicators (ENER 009) (ENER 009) - Assessment published Jan 2011: Between 1990 and 2007, EEA32 emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from public electricity and heat production fell despite a 32% increase in the amount of electricity and heat produced. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions increased by 0.8% from the 1990 baseline, as a result of fuel switching and efficiency improvements. SO 2 emissions fell by 62%, due mainly to abatement techniques, use of low-sulphur fuels, and fossil fuel switching. NOx emissions fell by 39%, primarily due to abatement techniques. Some emissions have risen in recent years due to increased utilisation of existing coal plant with higher emissions per unit of output.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Emissions from public electricity and heat production - explanatory indicators (ENER 009)
Urban - key fact 2: Cities emit 69 % of Europe's CO2.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Urban environment - SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key facts
Mitigating climate change - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The EU emitted close to 5 billion tonnes (Gt) of CO2-equivalent emissions in 2008. It contributes today around 12 % of annual global anthropogenic direct greenhouse gas emissions. The EU is making good progress towards achieving its emission reduction targets. A rapid, sustained and effective transition to a low carbon economy is necessary to mitigate climate change and to meet global greenhouse gas emission targets.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Understanding climate change — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Average global air and ocean temperatures are rising, leading to the melting of snow and ice and rising global mean sea level. Ocean acidification results from higher CO2 concentrations. With unabated greenhouse gas emissions, climate change could lead to an increasing risk of irreversible shifts in the climate system with potentially serious consequences. Temperature rises of more than 1.5–2 °C above pre-industrial levels are likely to cause major societal and environmental disruptions in many regions. The atmospheric CO2 concentration needs to be stabilised at 350–400 parts per million (ppm) in order to have a 50 % chance of limiting global mean temperature increase to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels (according to the IPCC in 2007, and confirmed by later scientific insights).
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments