EU greenhouse gas emissions
Inventory report 2010
The European Union's greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows that emissions have not only continued their downward trend in 2008, but have also picked up pace. The EU-27's emissions stood 11.3 % below their 1990 levels, while EU-15 achieved a reduction of 6.9 % compared to Kyoto base-year levels.
The GHG inventory report shows that the EU is well on track to meet its emission reduction targets with domestic policy measures only. 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 coal by gas. The use of biomass and other renewable sources (wind and hydroelectric power) has also increased significantly in 2008.
The economic recession, which started during the second half of the year, also contributed to emission reductions. 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.
Source: Source: Press release EEA [1]