Non-Industrial Emissions Key for Meeting Kyoto Targets

COPENHAGEN, November 12 - A report (www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2009_9) by the
European Environment Agency released today shows that the European Union and
all Member States but one are on track to meet their Kyoto Protocol
commitments to limit and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Whereas the Protocol requires that the EU-15 reduce average emissions
during 2008-2012 to 8 % below 1990 levels, the latest projections indicate
that the EU-15 will go further, reaching a total reduction of more than 13 %
below the base year.

Commenting on the findings, EEA Executive Director Professor Jacqueline
McGlade said:

"It is encouraging that Europe's climate-changing emissions are expected
to continue decreasing, outperforming the objectives set by the Kyoto
Protocol. Such an accomplishment should encourage all countries to agree on
much larger reductions of global emissions, sealing a global deal in
Copenhagen this December. Commitments to deep emission cuts are urgently
needed to preserve our chances to keep planetary temperature increases below
2degreesC."

The EEA report (www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2009_9)
shows that the reductions in the period 2008-2012 will be achieved through a
combination of existing and additional policies, the purchase by governments
of credits from emission-reducing projects outside the EU, the trading of
emission allowances by participants in the EU emission trading scheme (EU
ETS) and forestry activities that absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The
trading scheme primarily covers large carbon-emitting industries, which
represent about 40 % of EU greenhouse gas emissions.

Looking further ahead, almost three quarters of the EU's unilateral
target to cut emissions to 20 % below 1990 levels by 2020 could be achieved
domestically (i.e. without purchase of credits outside the EU).

The report highlights the importance of the EU ETS in helping Member
States meet their targets. It also stresses, however, that governments need
to focus on reducing emissions in the sectors not covered by the ETS, such as
transport, agriculture and households.

How could the EU achieve the projected reductions?

The report foresees a variety of factors contributing to the EU-15's
total reduction of more than 13%:

    - Existing policies and measures for the period 2008-2012 could account
      for 6.9 percentage points of the total reduction.
    - If Member States implement additional measures as planned, the total
      reduction could reach 8.5 %, although this will largely depend on
      combined efforts in four main emitting countries (France, Germany,
      Spain and the United Kingdom).
    - The use of Kyoto's flexible mechanisms by governments could
      contribute an additional 2.2 percentage points reduction
    - Absorbing carbon dioxide through enhanced carbon sinks (e.g. improved
      forest management) will contribute with an additional 1 percentage
      point reduction.
    - Purchase of emission allowances and credits by EU ETS
      operators is expected to deliver a further 1.4 percentage point
      reduction.

Emission reductions may be furthered by economic recession

Five EU-15 Member States (France, Germany, Greece, Sweden and the United
Kingdom) have already reduced domestic emissions below their targets. Only
Austria expects to fall short of its commitment under current conditions and
will have to intensify its efforts to reduce emissions in non-ETS sectors.

All other Member States and EEA member countries with emissions targets
under the Kyoto Protocol anticipate that they will meet their commitments.

Member States' projections have started to take into account the recent
economic downturn but the report finds that GHG emissions may still be
overestimated in the short term. As such, the recession could bring about
further cuts in emissions.

Links:

- Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2009
www.eea.europa.eu/publications/eea_report_2009_9

- Policies and measures database
www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/pam

- Emission country profiles
www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/ghg-country-profiles

- Greenhouse gas data viewer
dataservice.eea.europa.eu/PivotApp/pivot.aspx?pivotid=475

- European Union Emissions Trading Scheme data viewer
dataservice.eea.europa.eu/PivotApp/pivot.aspx?pivotid=473

- European Commission: Greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting
ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/gge_progress.htm

ENGLISH: www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/
non-industrial-emissions-key-for-meeting-kyoto-targets

DANSK: www.eea.europa.eu/da/pressroom/newsreleases/
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DEUTSCH: www.eea.europa.eu/de/pressroom/newsreleases/
nichtindustrielle-emissionen-2013-der-schlussel-fur-die-einhaltung-
der-kioto-ziele

ESPAÑOL: www.eea.europa.eu/es/pressroom/newsreleases/
las-emisiones-no-industriales-son-clave-para-alcanzar-los-objetivos-de-kyoto

FRANÇAIS: www.eea.europa.eu/fr/pressroom/newsreleases/
le-role-cle-des-emissions-non-industrielles-pour-atteindre-les-
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ITALIANO: www.eea.europa.eu/it/pressroom/newsreleases/
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-degli-obiettivi-di-kyoto

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For media enquiries only: Òscar Romero i Sanchez, Press officer, Phone: +45-3336-7207, Mobile: +45-2368-3671, press at eea.europa.eu; Gülçin Karadeniz, Press officer, Phone: +45-3336-7172, Mobile: +45-2368-3653, press at eea.europa.eu