Norwegian emissions among highest in Europe

Germany has the highest emissions to air in Europe. But when it comes to emissions per capita, a different picture emerges: Norway tops the list in emissions of Non-Methane Volatile Organic Carbon (NMVOC). Emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) are also high.

Coal and oil-fired power plants are by far the biggest source of SO2 and CO2 (sulfur and carbon dioxide) emissions in Europe today. Motor vehicle traffic is, however, the biggest source of NOx, NMVOC and CO (carbon monoxide), and in this respect Norway stands out from other European countries. While Norway produces electricity from water power, it has high emissions from oil refining, fishing vessels and coastal shipping.

NMVOC emissions per capita in Norway are by far the highest in Europe, and are nearly double that of the country with the second highest emissions, Sweden. This is because Norway has high emissions from the loading of crude oil on the Norwegian continental shelf and at terminals. NMVOC emissions are to be reduced by 30 per cent from the 1989 level by 1999. These emissions have risen in Norway, Italy, Spain and Greece, but have dropped in Germany, Britain and France. NMVOC contributes to the formation of near-surface ozone, which causes respiratory ailments and damages vegetation. It also contains cancer-causing substances.

New Statistics

The statistics were obtained from the European Environmental Bureau. More information: Kristin Rypdal, tel. +47 21 09 49 49, e-mail: krr@ssb.no.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 18, 1997