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52664
NOx obligations unlikely to be fulfilled
statistikk
2011-02-11T10:00:00.000Z
Nature and the environment
en
agassn, Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, air pollution, acidifying gases (for example NOX, SO2, NH3), emissions by source (for example oil and gas production, road traffic, air traffic), emissions by industry (for example energy sector, manufacturing, primary industries)Pollution and climate, Nature and the environment
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Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 1990-2009, final figures

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NOx obligations unlikely to be fulfilled

Norway’s emissions of NOX in 2009 were 16 per cent above the obligations for 2010 set in the Gothenburg Protocol. For the other acidifying gases, the emissions in 2009 were below the obligations for 2010. The emissions expressed as acid equivalents decreased by 6 per cent from 2008 to 2009.

The most important cause of the reduction from 2008 to 2009 is reduced metal production due to the financial crisis.

This is shown in new calculations of preliminary 2009 figures in the Norwegian emission inventory, which is compiled by Statistics Norway in collaboration with the Climate and Pollution Agency. The new figures include breakdowns by source and industry.

Emissions of NOX, SO2, NH3, NMVOCs and CO 1990 and 2009*. 1 000 tonnes. Emission ceiling according to the Gothenburg Protocol and harmful effects of the gases
Gas Emissions 1990 Emissions 2009* Emission ceiling 2010 Necessary reduction 2009-2010 Harmful effects
Nitrogen oxides (NOX)  191  181  156 24 600 tonnes (16 per cent) Increase the risk of respiratory disease (particularly NO2).
Contribute to acidification, corrosion and formation of ground-level ozone.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 52 16 22     Emissions per 2009 below target Increases the risk of respiratory complaints.
Acidifies soil and water and causes corrosion.
Ammonia (NH3) 21 23 23 Emissions per 2009 below target Contributes to acidification of water and soils.
NMVOCs  290  141  195 Emissions per 2009 below target May include carcinogenic substances.
Contribute to formation of ground-level ozone.
CO  747  319 - No quantified emission ceiling Increases risk of heart problems in people with cardiovascular diseases.
Source:  Emission inventory from Statistics Norway and the Climate and Pollution Agency.

Utslipp av NOX, SO2, NH3 og NMVOC. 1990-2009*. Mål i Gøteborgprotokollen i 2010. Indeks 1990=100[Emissions of NOX, SO2, NH3 and NMVOC. 1990-2009*. 2010 target, Gothenburg Protocol. Index 1990=100]

Utslipp av nitrogenoksider (NOX), svoveldioksid (SO2) og ammoniakk (NH3). 1990-2009*. 1 000 tonn syreekvivalenter[Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3). 1990-2009*. 1 000 tonnes acid equivalents]

NOx emissions far above the target

Norwegian emissions of NOx(nitrogen oxides) amounted to 180 600 tonnes in 2009. This is a reduction of 9 800 tonnes, or 5 per cent from 2008. The decline is mostly due to reduced activity caused by the financial crisis. In the Gothenburg Protocol, a ceiling of 156 000 tonnes is set for the NOX emissions at the end of 2010. Preliminary emission figures for 2010 will be published in May 2011, and will make clear whether there has been a reduction big enough to fulfil the commitment.

Domestic sea transport and fishing accounted for 29 per cent of the total Norwegian NOx emissions in 2009. Stationary combustion in oil and gas related activities contributed with 28 per cent, and road traffic with 22 per cent of the emissions.

Manufacturing industries are an important source of NOX emissions, and reduced production in several plants in the iron, steel and ferro-alloy industries from 2008 has led to a drop in the emissions. There has also been a decrease in emissions from diesel engines in heavy duty vehicles and motorized equipment. Another reason for the decline is reduced combustion of natural gas in oil and gas activities on the Norwegian continental shelf. Sources that contribute in the opposite direction are growth in emissions from mobile installations by oil exploration and from fishing vessels. According to the sales statistics for petroleum products, there was a growth in fuel use by fishing vessels that more than makes up for the reductions caused by technical efforts.

Revised model for calculating emissions to air from road traffic

Since the previous release of emission figures in May 2010, Statistics Norway has, in agreement with the Climate and Pollution Authority, incorporated a new model for calculating emissions to air from road traffic. An international model, Handbook of Emission Factors (HBEFA) is now used. The model has updated emission factors for all emission types, and calculated cold start and evaporative emissions, in addition to hot emissions. New data sources have also been adopted, especially Statistics Norway’s new mileage statistics. The new calculations are more certain, and also more detailed, especially with regard to road types and driving patterns, and the vehicles are split into more weight and motor size classes.

Previously, the emissions were corrected for total fuel consumption. The emission factors in HBEFA are for the most part related to driving mileage, and not fuel consumption. Revised emission factors result in changes in the emission time series, for NOX especially. The emissions are downwards adjusted in the beginning of the time series due to lower emission factors for petrol passenger cars, while the emissions in the last part of the time series are upwards adjusted due to higher emission factors for diesel vehicles. For most other components the emissions are downwards adjusted for the entire time series.

Downward trend in emissions of acidifying substances

Shipping, agriculture, oil and gas extraction, road traffic and manufacturing industries and mining are the most important sources of emissions that lead to acid rain. Norway’s aggregate emissions of acidifying gases, expressed as acid equivalents, were 5 800 tonnes in 2009. NOX accounts for 68 per cent of this, and NH3 and SO2 for 23 and 8 per cent respectively. The emissions of acidifying gases show a decrease of 18 per cent from 1990 to 2009, and 6 per cent from 2008.

SO2 emissions have decreased considerably since 1990, among other reasons caused by a drop in emissions from manufacturing and mining. For the NOX emissions, the main reduction has taken place for road traffic, caused by stronger restrictions on exhaust emissions. The NH3 emissions, where manure from livestock is the most important source, have been relatively stable since 1990.

Changes since the May release

Due to methodological improvements, there are substantial changes in the time series compared with the figures published in May 2010. Generally, the NOx emissions have been increased and the NMVOC and CO emissions have been reduced for most years. The most important changes are in road traffic, NMVOCs from solvents and NOX from production of silicon metal. The limitation of the emission sources has also been changed, especially concerning mobile offshore drilling installations, which were earlier included in domestic shipping, but are now placed in stationary combustion in oil and gas extraction.

About the emission inventory

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See also emission figures for hazardous substances published today. Revised emission figures for greenhouse gases are published on Tuesday 15 February 2011.

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