Publications

Big potential of cutting greenhouse gases from waste: There is a big potential to cut greenhouse gases (GHGs) from municipal solid waste management, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, 'Waste opportunities – Past and future climate benefits from better municipal waste management in Europe', covers the EU-27 (excluding Cyprus), Norway and Switzerland. It estimates that these countries could make GHG savings of up to 78 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) by 2020, or 1.53 % of Europe's emissions in 2008.
Located in News
GHG emissions - outlook from IEA (Outlook 036) - Assessment published Jun 2007: The reference scenario* projects that rising global fuel use continues to drive up energy related CO2 emissions, from 28Gt in 2006 to 41 Gt in 2030 - an increase of 45%. Some 97% of the global increase in energy related CO2 emissions to 2030 arises in non-OECD countries. China (6.1 Gt), India (2 Gt) and the Middle East (1.3 Gt) together account for three-quarters of the increase. Emissions in the OECD group of countries peak after 2020 and then decline. Only in Europe and Japan are emissions in 2030 lower than today. * The IEA Reference Scenario, indicate what would happen if, among other things, there were to be no new energy policy interventions by governments beyond these already adopted in mid-2008. The Reference Scenario is not a forecast: it is a baseline picture of how global energy markets would evolve if the underlying trends in energy demand and supply are not changed.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › GHG emissions - outlook from IEA
GHG emissions - outlook from MNP (Outlook 008) - Assessment published Jun 2007: The risk of inaction is high, with unabated emissions in the Baseline scenario 1 leading to about a 37% and 52% increase in global emissions in the 2030 and 2050 respectively compared to 2005, with a wide range of impacts on natural and human systems. This unabated emission pathway could lead to high levels of global warming, with long-term average temperatures likely to be at least 4 to 6 C higher than pre-industrial temperatures. The costs of even the most stringent mitigation cases are in the range of a few percent of global GDP in 2050. Thus they are manageable, they are also feasible at limited cost, especially if policies are designed to start early to be cost-effective and to share the burden of costs across all regions.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › GHG emissions - outlook from MNP
Municipal waste generation - outlook from OECD (Outlook 013) - Assessment published Jun 2007: Municipal waste generation is still increasing in OECD countries, but at a slower pace since 2000. There has been a relative decoupling of municipal waste generation in OECD countries from economic growth, but waste generation is continuing to increase.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Municipal waste generation - outlook from OECD
Energy and non-energy related greenhouse gas emissions (ENER 001) - Assessment published Aug 2011: EU emissions of greenhouse gases (Kyoto gases) declined for the third consecutive year in 2008. The combination of high coal and carbon prices accompanied by a drop in natural gas prices in 2008 induced heat and electricity producers to replace more polluting coal by gas and as a result, reduce their GHG emissions. The use of biomass and other renewable sources (wind and hydroelectric power) has also increased significantly in 2008, attributing further to the reduction in GHG emissions. The economic recession, which started during the second half of the 2008, also contributed to emission reductions from several sectors including the manufacturing and construction, and road transport sectors. Road transport emissions were also affected by high oil prices, the continued decline in gasoline consumption and a reversal of the upward trend in diesel sales. Total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 were 11.3 % below 1990 in 2008 — a net reduction of 627 million tonnes of CO 2 eq., of which 99 million took place in 2008 [1] . In 2008, the EU-15 stood 6.9% below its Kyoto Protocol base year levels. Preliminary EEA estimates suggest emissions in the EU fell further in 2009 due to lower the economic downturn and CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the energy, industry and transport sectors. [1] http://www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/why-did-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Energy and non-energy related greenhouse gas emissions
Policy scenarios compared to Baseline: GHG emissions, CO2 emissions and global temperature change, 2000-2050: The Outlook Baseline uses the UN forecast of population growth to 2050 and estimates that global economic growth will be 2.4% per year (expressed in terms of purchasing power parity or PPP) on average to 2050
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Gap between average 2008–2010 total GHG emissions and Kyoto targets (without the use of carbon sinks and flexible mechanisms): * 2008–2009 average emissions (no approximated 2010 GHG emissions available for Liechtenstein. Each bar represents the gap between domestic emissions and the Kyoto target. A positive value indicates that national total emissions were lower than the Kyoto target.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Share of wood and biomass use in fuel consumption by industry, households and the services sector: -
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
GHG Emission projections per capita by the world regions: Figures include land use change and forestry.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Greenhouse gas emission trends (CSI 010) - Assessment published Oct 2012: In 2010, EU-27 greenhouse gas emissions increased by 2.4 % compared to 2009. This was due to the return to economic growth in many countries and a colder winter leading to an increased demand for heating. However, the increase in emissions was contained by a move from coal to natural gas and the sustained strong growth in renewable energy generation. This increase noted in 2010 follows a 7 % drop in 2009 (compared to 2008), largely due to the economic recession and, again, the increased production of renewable energy. With respect to 1990 levels, EU‑27 emissions were decreased by 15.4 % (Figure 1). At a sectoral level, emissions decreased in all main sectors except the transport one, where they increased considerably. In the EU-15, 2010 GHG emissions increased by 2.1 % compared to 2009 – an increase of 78.5 Mt CO 2 eq in absolute values. This implies that EU‑15 greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 10.6 % below the 1990 level in 2010 or 11 % below the base-year level. CO 2 emissions from public electricity and heat production also decreased by 6.1% with respect to 1990. The European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target (an 8% reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions compared to base-year level, to be achieved during the period from 2008 to 2012). A detailed assessment of progress towards Kyoto targets and 2020 targets in Europe is provided in EEA's 2012 report on Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections .
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Greenhouse gas emission trends