Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 1990-2015, final figures

In the updated calculations for the years 1990-2015, new sources for emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors are included in the figures. (see fact box about new guidelines). The background for the changes are new guidelines provided by the LRTAP-Convention .¹  As a consequence, the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x), carbon monoxide (CO) and NMVOCs are higher throughout the time series. In addition, the trend shows a lower reduction in emissions than previously calculated. This applies to all gases to different degrees, including sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and ammonia (NH₃). 

2020 targets for NMVOCs and ammonia not fulfilled

Since the emission targets defined in the Gothenburg protocol are given as a percentage reduction relative to 2005 levels, the changes in the calculation method mean that Norway is farther from its reduction targets compared to previous calculations. In spite of this, a reduction in NO_x and SO₂ emissions of 25.5 per cent and 32 per cent respectively keeps Norway above the reduction target, thus fulfilling the commitments. The emissions of NMVOCs have been reduced by 32 per cent (target 40 per cent reduction), while the ammonia emissions (target 8 per cent reduction) are about the same as in 2005. 

Emissions from aluminium production cause jump in CO emissions

The carbon monoxide emissions were about 385 0000 tonnes in 2015; a 1.5 per cent rise compared to 2014, although half as large as the emissions in 1990. In 1990, road traffic was the largest source of CO emissions, with over 400 000 tonnes of emitted CO. Since then, road traffic emissions of carbon monoxide have sunk to one tenth of the 1990 emissions. 

In 2015, emissions from aluminium production is the largest contributor, with an emission of 146 000 tonnes. This source is included for the first time in this year’s figures, due to the new guidelines (see fact box), and gives an added emission of between 100 000 and 170 000 tonnes to the total each year in the time series. 

Small increase in emission of NMVOCs

About 157 000 tonnes of NMVOCs were emitted I 2015, which is about one per cent less than in 2014 and 19 000 tonnes above the 2020 target. Use of solvents and emissions from offshore loading contributed most to the emissions, with a combined share of more than 50 per cent of the total emissions in 2015. 

New emission sources were included for the first time in the calculation this year, which has led to an increase in the total emissions of between 3 to 10 per cent each year in the time series.

NO_x emissions continue to fall

Emissions of nitrogen oxides have been heavily reduced for previous years. This is to a large degree caused by the NO_x taxation introduced in 2007. In total, 153 000 tonnes of NO_x were emitted in 2015, which is 3.7 per cent less than in 2014. The reduction meant that Norway achieved its reduction target for 2020 in 2015. 

Updated emission factors for shipping and road traffic in the most recent calculations have led to the emission reduction being smaller than in the previous calculations. Emissions from pulp and paper, and agriculture have been included for the first time, which contributes to a 3 to 5 per cent increase throughout the time series. 

Slightly lower Sulphur dioxide emissions

The total emission of SO₂ was 16 400 tonnes in 2015. This is about one third of the emission level in 1990 and well below the emission target in 2020. The biggest reduction comes from a decrease in process emissions, especially within chemical and metal industry, and less use of crude oil in manufacturing. Manufacturing and mining are still the most important emission sources, with a contribution to the total SO₂ emission of nearly 73 per cent. In the later years, the emissions have been stable in all sectors except the shipping sector, where the emissions have been reduced to 110 tonnes in 2015; about a third of the emissions in 2010. The total emissions were one per cent lower in 2015 than in 2014. 

Reduced emissions of acidifying gases

The combined emission of the acidifying gases NO_x, SO₂ and NH₃, measured in acid equivalents was reduced in 2015 by two per cent compared to the year before, and 27 per cent compared to the 1990 emissions. The sulphur emission has decreased most from 1990, although since 2007 the NO_x emission has been reduced significantly. The emission of ammonia is nearly unchanged since 1990.

¹ Correction in text.