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Reducing speed limits on motorways: how good is it for the environment?: Lower speed limits on motorways are generally associated with road safety. But several European countries are now debating whether they also benefit the environment and, if so, how much. There is no simple way of measuring the environmental benefits of lower speed limits but several factors clearly play a key role.
Located in Articles
Waterbase - Emissions to water: Emissions to water are an important element (describing the pressure) in assessment of the state of Europe’s environment (SoE). This database contains data on emissions of nutrients and hazardous substances to water, aggregated within River Basin Districts (RBDs), in the EEA member countries. The reporting process, endorsed by the Water Directors, and this publication of the data, enables all stakeholders to use the data and contributes to streamlining with other reporting processes.
Located in Data and maps › Datasets
Power to the people: In modern societies, almost everything consumes energy. It is not only electronic gadgets, household appliances or street lighting that need it. Bringing water to our homes or food products to our supermarkets also require energy. Current consumption and production patterns demand a steady and often increasing energy supply.
Located in The Environmental Atlas › … › Power to the people › Story
Energy and non-energy related greenhouse gas emissions (ENER 001) - Assessment published Jan 2011: EU emissions of greenhouse gases (Kyoto gases) declined for the third consecutive year in 2007. This is largely a result of lower use of fossil fuels (particularly oil and gas) in households and services, which are among the largest sources of GHG emissions in the EU. Warmer weather and higher fuel prices were the primary causes for the drop in emissions in 2006–2007, with most of the decrease occurring in households. The EU-27’s overall domestic emissions were 9.3 % below 1990 levels, which equalled a drop of 1.2 % or 59 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 2006. In 2007, the EU-15 stood 5 % below its Kyoto Protocol base year levels. Preliminary EEA estimates suggest emissions in the EU fell further in 2008 due to lower CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the energy, industry and transport sectors.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Energy and non-energy related greenhouse gas emissions
Past and projected emissions of the main air pollutants and primary particulate matter. EEA-32 + Western Balkan countries: Past and projected emissions of the main air pollutants CO, NMVOC, NOx, NH3 PM2.5 and SOx
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Sources of selected air pollutants in 2008 for EEA-32 and Western Balkan countries: Sources of selected air pollutants in EEA-32 and West Balkan countries, 2008.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Energy-related emissions of ozone precursors (ENER 005) - Assessment published Jan 2011: Energy-related emissions account for 75% of all emissions of ozone precursors (CH4, CO, NMVOC, NOX) emissions from the EEA-32 in 2007. These emissions fell by 4.1% between 2006 and 2007 (and by 5.2% in the EU-27). Since 1990, these emissions have declined by 45% in the EU and 41% in EEA member countries. The largest reductions in emissions occurred in the road transport sector, largely as a result of the continued introduction of catalytic converters in new vehicles during this period. Energy production and use still remains a significant source of emissions for all these precursor pollutants. Reducing energy-related emissions of ozone precursors therefore is a key priority for reducing local and transboundary air pollution and in ensuring that the EU and individual countries meet emission ceiling targets under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD) and the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Energy-related emissions of ozone precursors
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
Estimated impact of different factors on the reduction in emissions of NOX and SO2 from public electricity and heat production, EEA-32, 1990–2008: The charts show the estimated contributions of various factors affecting emissions from public electricity and heat production including public thermal, nuclear, hydro and wind plants. The top line represents the hypothetical development of emissions that would have occurred due to increasing public heat and electricity production between 1990 and 2006, if the structure and performance of electricity and heat production had remained unchanged. However, there were a number of changes to sector’s structure that tended to reduce emissions, and the contributions of each of these factors to the emission reduction are shown. The cumulative effect of all these changes was that emissions actually followed the trend shown by the lower bars.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs