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EU Expected to Exceed Emission Ceiling
A new report from EEA shows that emissions of nitrous oxides across the EU will exceed targets by almost 4%, but for some countries that figure is almost 50%.
Member states will go over emission thresholds by more than 45%
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA) 11 of the EU-27 member states are expected to exceed legally binding emissions ceilings in 2010, including the four largest overall emitters of NOx. The targets, set in EU law in 2001 and contributing to the international Kyoto protocol on global warming, placed specific limits on kilotonnes of nitrous oxide (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), sulfur dioxide (S02) and ammonia (NH3) emissions.
Spain and France are expected to exceed their ceilings by 262 kilotonnes and 236 kiltonnes respectively – 32% and 28% over the limits. Germany and the UK are also expected to exceed their emissions ceilings, but by only 5.8% and 3.7% each. Several other states, although smaller total emitters of NOx, are expected to surpass their limits by nearly 50%, including, Austria (at 42%), Belgium (43%) and Ireland (47%).
Road transportation accounts for nearly 40% of NOx emissions in Europe and reductions in road travel have not been as significant as originally expected when these targets were established. Vehicle emissions standards also have not lived up to expectations, which makes transportation more ineffcient than what had been hoped.
For the other types of gases that were measured in this report, only a small number of states were expected to surpass their ceilings, and by very small amounts. Although it is encouraging to hear that significant steps are being taken to reduce emissions, NOx are 310 times more effective at trapping heat in the earth’s atmosphere than CO2. Flagrant disregard for emissions ceilings – demonstrated by 2010 projects that exceed ceilings by over 25% in 5 countries – is expected to be met with monetary fines and perhaps more leniency in establishing the next set of ceilings for 2011. It is also important to note that although the total volume of emissions for the EU will decrease from 2008 to 2010, several new EU member states (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Romania and Slovakia) in addition to Belgium will see absolute increases of NOx emissions, anywhere from 5%-25% in the two year period. Such credentials will do little to help the EU convince its partners and third countries to cut down their emissions for a post-Kyoto agreement that adequately addresses global warming.
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