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Weekly Bulletin issue no. 11, 1999 <sti>Stikktittel

Emissions to air, 1998. Preliminary figures:

Unaltered CO2 emissions despite lower oil production

Total CO2 emissions in Norway remained unaltered last year despite lower emissions from oil and gas production. Increased emissions from the manufacture of basic metals and from road traffic were important factors in keeping CO2 emissions from declining. This is shown by data from Statistics Norway (SSB) and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. (SFT)
Last year was the first time in many years that emissions from oil and gas production declined from one year to the next. CO2 emissions from the manufacture of some types of chemical products and mineral products also declined as a result of reduced production. Emissions from the manufacture of basic metals increased by nine per cent, however, from 1997 to 1998 because of increased production, and increased road traffic led to an increase of three per cent in the total emissions. As a result of these factors, there was still no overall reduction in CO2 emissions. Since 1990 CO2 emissions have increased by a total of 18 per cent.

Increase in total greenhouse gas emissions

According to its Kyoto Protocol commitments, Norway can increase its total emissions of greenhouse gases by 1 per cent in the period 2008-2012 relative to the level in 1990. The total greenhouse gas emissions increased by 7.5 per cent, however, from 1990 to 1997. Total greenhouse gas emissions for 1998 are not yet available. The greenhouse gases perfluorinated carbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) have been substantially reduced from 1990 to 1997 as a result of measures in the processing industry.

Lower methane emissions than previously estimated

The latest figures show that methane from landfills contributes less to Norwegian emissions of greenhouse gases than had been previously expected. The emissions have now been estimated to be about 190,000 metric tons, which is 140,000 metric tons lower than previously estimated. As a result, methane's share of the total greenhouse gas emissions sank from 17 to 13 per cent in 1997. The reason for this revision is better data on the amount and composition of waste and a more thorough evaluation of the amount of methane that is released when waste is deposited under Norwegian conditions. Total methane emissions in Norway increased by 9 per cent from 1990 to 1998. From 1997 to 1998 the total methane emissions declined slightly for the first time, primarily as a result of increased recovery of methane from landfills and an increase in the percentage of waste that goes to recycling.

The emissions of the greenhouse gas group, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are currently relatively insignificant. These substances replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in cooling equipment, among other applications. Emissions are low at present, but may become significant by 2010. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) have changed relatively little since 1990, but have increased by 6 per cent since 1997.

New Statistics
Emissions to air, 1998. Preliminary figures.
The statistics are published annually in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. For more information from SFT, contact: Audun.Rosland@sft.telemax.no, tel. +47 22 57 35 47, or Eilev.Gjerald@sft.telemax.no, tel. +47 22 57 35 50. For more information from SSB, contact: Kristin.Rypdal@ssb.no, tel. +47 21 09 49 49 or Gisle.Haakonsen@ssb.no, tel. 21 09 44 71.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 11, 1999