Emissions to air, 1990-2008, preliminary figures

These are some of the results found in the new, preliminary emission figures estimated by Statistics Norway in cooperation with the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.

After a year with a strong increase in the Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions in 2007, the figure fell by 1.2 million tonnes and totalled 53.8 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents in 2008. This was a consequence of reduced consumption of fossil fuels and investment in new technology in the chemical industry. Despite the decrease, the emissions were 7.4 per cent above the Norwegian commitment in the Kyoto protocol.

Manufacturing industry no longer largest emission source

Emissions from the manufacturing industry fell from 14.7 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents in 2007 to 14.1 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents in 2008. The reduction of 3.7 per cent was mainly a result of investments in technology prior to 2008, cutting the emissions of N₂O from the production of fertilisers. As a consequence, the manufacturing industry was replaced as number one greenhouse gas emission source in Norway, by the oil and gas industry.

Small changes in emissions from oil and gas extraction

The greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas extraction were reduced by less than 1 per cent (0.1 million tonnes of CO₂-eqivalents) from 2007 to 2008. The opening of three new fields led to increased flaring. This was counteracted by decreased emissions from gas terminals.

Growth in road traffic decelerated

For the past 17 years, the average growth in emissions from road traffic has been about 2 per cent per year. The growth has been a result of increased economic activity. However, from 2007 to 2008, the growth was only 0.4 per cent. There appears to have been a lower growth in traffic towards the end of 2008 as a consequence of lower economic activity.

Fall in emissions from sea transport

The use of fuels in mobile sources other than road traffic, i.e. costal traffic and fishing, air traffic, production machinery etc., contributed with around 6.8 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents in the 2008 emissions. This was more than 7 per cent down from 2007. According to the statistics on sales of petroleum products, considerably less marine gas oil was sold to sea transport in 2008 compared with 2007.

Above Kyoto target

Norway’s assigned amount under the Kyoto protocol is 250.6 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents for the years 2008-2012. This means an average amount per year of 50.1 million tonnes. In 2008, the first year of the commitment period, the emissions totalled 53.8 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents. This indicates that Norway will have to pay for emission reductions abroad in order to fulfil the commitment.

Tables:

• Table 1 Emissions to air, by source. 1990
• Table 2 Emissions to air, by source. 2006
• Table 3 Emissions to air, by source. 2007*
• Table 4 Emissions to air of greenhouse gases. 1973-2008*
• Table 5 Emissions of greenhouse gases to air, by sector. 2007*