Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 2001, preliminary figures

This is shown in new figures from Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.

Shipping, oil and gas production and heating are most important

In 2001, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) rose by 1 per cent from 2000, due to increased combustion of oil and gas. This includes more use of natural gas for production of electricity at oil and gas installations on the continental shelf, increased use of oil for heating and other stationary combustion and higher emissions from shipping. Flaring of natural gas on the continental shelf was reduced considerably in 2001. 2001 was a somewhat colder year than 2000, which led to an increase in use of oil products for heating. Furthermore, manufacturing industries that can change between use of oil and electricity, to some degree returned to oil in 2001.

Reduced emissions from road traffic

Total NO_x emissions from road traffic were reduced by 1 per cent in 2001, although the use of private cars was higher than ever. The sale of motor gasoline increased by almost 4 per cent in 2001. This increase can partly be due to emptying of fuel stocks in 2000 and refilling of the stocks in 2001, particularly during the first months, because of tax changes from 1 January 2001. The emissions decrease, however, because an increasing part of the cars are equipped with catalysts. 64 per cent of gasoline driven cars had a catalyst in 2001, and as newer cars are more used than older, 76 per cent of the gasoline cars' total mileage took place in cars with catalysts. Emissions from diesel cars are, on the other hand, increasing; this is the case for both private cars and lorries.

Emissions must be reduced by 31 per cent

In 2001, Norwegian NO_x emissions totalled 255 000 tons, which is a slight decrease compared with the 1990 level. To fulfil the obligations in the Gothenburg Protocol, emissions must, however, be reduced by 31 per cent to 156 000 tons by 2010. Norway is already committed to comply with the Sofia Protocol until 2010. According to this, Norway shall stabilize the NO_x emissions below the 1987 level from 1994. This obligation was not fulfilled in 1997, 1998 and 1999. In 2000 and 2001, however, the emissions were within the frame of the Sofia Protocol.

Emissions from domestic shipping and fishing made up 40 per cent of the NO_x emissions in Norway in 2001, while road traffic and oil and gas activities made up approximately 20 per cent each. The remainder comes mainly from industrial combustion and processes. Less than 1 per cent of the emissions are due to residential heating. Foreign shipping and air transport are excluded from these figures, as these not are included in international environmental treaties.

NMVOC emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent

According to the Gothenburg Protocol, emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) shall not exceed 195 000 tons in 2010. Compared to 2001, the emissions must be almost halved during the next 9 years to reach this target.

New, provisional figures for greenhouse gas emissions have also been published. These are described in a separate article .