Higher than estimated emissions to air

Emissions to air of Non-Methane Volatile Organic Carbon (NMVOC) and methane (CH4) in Norway are much higher than previously estimated. NMVOC emissions in 1995 have been adjusted upwards by 24 per cent, while methane emissions have been upwardly revised by 57 per cent compared to earlier calculations. This means that these emissions have increased much more than previously assumed.

The change in NMVOC emissions is mainly because the estimate for evaporation from offshore loading of crude oil has been adjusted upwards by a large amount. This source of emissions accounts according to what is now known for over half of Norway's NMVOC emissions. Emissions from refineries and motor vehicles are also higher than previously calculated. Norway has obligated itself to reduce emissions of NMVOC by 30 per cent from 1989 to 1999. Total Norwegian NMVOC emissions have increased by 35 per cent from 1989 to 1995 against a previously calculated rate of 13 per cent.

Methane emissions

Methane is a gas that can affect the earth's climate. The upward revision of methane emissions is mainly due to better information about emissions from waste disposal sites. Previously, only emissions from municipal waste have been included. Disposal of industrial waste, particularly from the wood processing and woodworking industry and building and construction, also cause substantial emissions of methane. These are now included in the calculations.

New Statistics

Emissions to air, 1995.
Statistics are published every year in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. More information: Kristin Rypdal, tel. +47 21 09 49 49, e-mail: krr@ssb.no, Ketil Flugsrud, tel. +47 21 09 49 38, e-mail: kfl@ssb.no or Audun Rosland, Norwegian State Pollution Control Authority, e-mail: audun.rosland@sfrospost.md.dep.telemax.no.rosland.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 3, 1997