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CO2 emissions from passenger transport (use phase only), EU-27, 2000 and 2005: The figure shows total CO2-emissions (attention: not CO2-equivalents; CH4 and N2O were left out due to data-constraints and insignificance as percentage of total emissions) for different means of transports’ usage-phase in the EU-27. Increasing travel resulted in increased direct emissions of CO2 from 2000 to 2005. Modes of transport with high CO2-intensity are private cars and aviation.
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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.
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CO2 emissions caused by consumption in selected EU countries, 2004: This figure identifies direct and indirect CO2 emissions caused by total national consumption in 2004 in 14 EU countries with available data for carrying out the calculations. CO2 caused by consumption are split into three components: 1) CO2 emitted abroad during the production of imported goods for direct consumption 2) CO2 emitted induced by domestic production for the home market 3) CO2 emitted directly by households through burning of fossil fuels for cooking, heating and in private cars
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Specific air pollutant emissions (TERM 028) - Assessment published Jan 2011: The specific emissions of air pollutants from passenger and freight transport decreased during the time period 1995-2009 for the majority of transport modes and especially for passenger transport. The highest reduction of specific emissions can be observed in the road sector, following the implementation of increasingly strict emission standards. Railway and aviation have also recorded reductions, while maritime passenger and freight transport emissions remained approximately constant over the same time period. Rail and water transport are still relatively clean forms of transport - compared to road and air transport - but without any regulations on their emissions, these modes might lose this leading position.
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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
Deep emission cuts give the EU a head start under the Kyoto Protocol: A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that large drop in emissions seen in 2008 and 2009 gives EU-15 a head start to reach and even overachieve its 8 % reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol. Austria, Denmark and Italy, however, need to step up their current efforts until 2012 to ensure that their contribution to the common EU-15 target is delivered. The EEA report also shows that EU-27 is well on track towards achieving its 20 % reduction target by 2020.
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Specific air pollutant emissions (TERM 028) - Assessment published Sep 2010: The specific emissions of air pollutants from passenger and freight transport decreased during the time period 1995-2009 for the majority of transport modes and especially for passenger transport. The highest reduction of specific emissions can be observed in the road sector, following the implementation of increasingly strict emission standards. Railway and aviation have also recorded reductions, while maritime passenger and freight transport emissions remained approximately constant over the same time period. Rail and water transport are still relatively clean forms of transport - compared to road and air transport - but without any regulations on their emissions, these modes might lose this leading position.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Specific air pollutant emissions
How does the emission trading scheme work?: Emission trading scheme? Cap and trade? What do these words mean? And how does it all contribute to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases? This animation shows how the scheme works.
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Annual European Community greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2007 and inventory report 2009: The present inventory also constitutes the EU‑15 voluntary submission under the Kyoto Protocol.
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