01/12/2005
– Copenhagen - If every EU country sticks to its plans to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and uses the Kyoto
mechanisms the EU 15 can go beyond its Kyoto targets, says
a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) released
today in Copenhagen.
In 2003, the EU 15 Member States were just over one fifth
of the way to meeting their 2010 Kyoto target of an 8% decrease
on the 11000 levels of greenhouse gas emissions. "However,
if the EU had taken no measures at all, emissions would
have been about 5% higher than they are today", says
Jacqueline McGlade.
The report, 'Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections
in Europe 2005', also shows that projected emission cuts
on their own will not be enough. The carbon that is being
released will need to be offset in other ways, such as through
the Kyoto mechanisms.
The Kyoto Mechanisms are systems whereby carbon released
in the developed world can be offset by investment in clean
technology projects in other developed countries or developing
countries where costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
are cheaper.
"If all plans for reductions are achieved and the Kyoto
Mechanisms are used, the EU 15 could actually hit a 9.3%
reduction, which is 1.3 % better than the target "
says Jacqueline McGlade, Executive Director of the European
Environment Agency.
The nine Member States planning to use the Kyoto Mechanisms
are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Spain. They have put aside
a combined total of EUR 2,730 million over the period up
to 2012 for obtaining emission allowances through the Mechanisms.
"To date, the policies in place need to be implemented
to meet the challenge," says Professor Jacqueline McGlade,
"There is a low carbon future for Europe but to get
there we need to use all the measures at our disposal: investment
in renewables, more efficient use of energy and other resources,
and the use of financial and legal measures."
New policies (not yet included in the projections) include
the Emissions Trading Scheme: an EU scheme whereby industries
emitting C02 can buy emission reductions from other industries
if those other industries can reduce emissions more cheaply.
Promoting electricity from renewable energy in industry,
transport, households and energy efficiency are also key
policies.
All ten new Member States are either on track to meet or
over-achieve their Kyoto targets by 2010. In 2003 emissions
were 32% below the 11000 figure. This was due mostly to
the closure of heavily polluting and energy intensive industries
in the 11000s. However, emissions are expected to increase
between 2003 and 2010.
Within the EU15, greenhouse gas emissions have dropped in
energy production, industry, agriculture and waste. However,
emissions from transport - mainly road transport - is now
24% higher than 11000 levels, and this figure is expected
to grow to 31% by 2010.
The rise in transport emissions is due to the growth in
both passenger and freight transport. This has partly offset
EU efforts, such as the 1998/99 agreement with European,
Japanese and Korean car makers to reduce average CO2 emissions
of new passenger cars.
See report: "Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections
in Europe",
The EEA report also serves to support and complement the
annual evaluation report on progress of the EU to the Kyoto
targets, prepared by the European Commission to the Council
and European Parliament.
Notes to the Editor: 1. Data
Source
The report is based on data and information submitted
by the countries in May - June 2005
2. EU-15 emission trends 11000-2003
As presented by EEA in a report published in June 2005,
by 2003 - the latest year for which complete data are
available - greenhouse gas emissions had been reduced
by 1.7% in the EU-15 compared with 11000 levels,
3. EU Emissions Trading System
The EU Emission Trading Scheme requires all large CO2
emission sources, such as steel, glass and power plants
(more than 11.000 throughout the EU) to decrease emissions
for 2005-2007 through trading emission allowances with
companies where reductions can be done cheapest. So, for
example, plants investing in energy savings, would produce
lower emissions after the introduction of alternative
clean technologies. They could then trade the surplus
on their CO2 emissions allowance with companies that either
find investing in emissions reduction too expensive or
which need to produce greater levels of emissions due
to growth.
In 2006 'emission caps' - a maximum
emissions level - for the trading sector will be set by
governments for the Kyoto period. After 2006, companies
needing to increase their CO2 emissions will either have
to invest in new technologies or trade with other companies
for the allowances. By 2006 the effects of the scheme
for achieving the Kyoto targets will become clearer.
4. Kyoto Mechanisms
The Kyoto Mechanisms help developed countries contribute
to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and achieve their
targets. They can also help to transfer clean technologies.
This is done by cooperation with developing countries
through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or other
developed countries through Joint Implementation (JI).
This is done through projects which can reduce emissions
for lower costs than those in the original countries.
For example, the costs of CO2 reductions
in a project, such as rural electrification using solar
panels in a developing country, are lower than those costs
in developed countries. Greenhouse gas reductions made
in the developing country are then certified by the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change's CDM Executive
Board and transferred to the developed country to be used
as part of its commitment to the Kyoto targets.
About the EEA
The European Environment Agency is the leading public
body in Europe dedicated to providing sound, independent
information on the environment to policy-makers and the
public. The EEA has been operational in Copenhagen since
1994. |
