Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 1990-2006, preliminary figures

This appears from new preliminary emission calculations produced by Statistics Norway in close cooperation with the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. The uncertainty of the preliminary figures is discussed later in the article.

NMVOC strongly reduced

The emissions of NMVOC were reduced by slightly more than 11 per cent from 2005 to 2006, and amounted to 196 000 tonnes in 2006. The large reduction means that Norway has almost reached the level of the emission target for 2010, stated in the Gothenburg Protocol. According to this, Norway's NMVOC emissions in 2010 shall not exceed 195 000 tonnes. NMVOC emissions peaked in 2001, when they amounted to 389 000 tonnes; in other words, the emissions have been almost halved in five years. The decline from 2001 has mainly been caused by reduced emissions from loading and storing of crude oil on the continental shelf. This was also the main reason for the reduction from 2005 to 2006.

The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority has required measures to reduce NMVOC emissions from loading and storing of crude oil. The measures are being introduced in the period 2004-2007, and within the end of 2007, 95 per cent of all loading of oil shall take place using technology that reduces NMVOC emissions.

Emissions of NMVOC have been reduced significantly in recent years and this development continued in 2006. The reduction is due to restrictions on exhaust gas, particularly the mandatory use of catalytic converters in petrol cars from 1989 and subsequent stricter regulations. In addition, the number of petrol cars has gradually decreased. The number of diesel cars is increasing considerably, but these have much lower NMVOC emissions than even modern petrol cars equipped with catalytic converters.

Reduced NO_x emissions from road traffic and manufacturing industries

In 2006, Norwegian NO_X emissions amounted to 195 000 tonnes, which is 1 per cent lower than in 2005. There are two main reasons for the decline. A significant part of the reduction is due to lower emissions from the manufacturing industries, most likely caused by lower production in some industries and closing down of a couple of important plants. The other main reason is reduced emissions from road traffic, due to specific environmental measures. The share of cars equipped with catalytic converters is still rising (see below), and heavy vehicles have reduced their emissions because of new restrictions on exhaust gas.

NO_X emissions have been reduced by 8.5 per cent since 1990, but must be lowered by a further 20 per cent, or 39 000 tonnes, within 2010, if Norway shall fulfil the targets of the Gothenburg Protocol (156 000 tonnes).

Three emission sources caused 80 per cent

The three emission sources domestic sea transport and fishing, oil and gas activities and road traffic together accounted for almost 80 per cent of NO_x emissions in 2005. The remainder came mainly from oil used for heating and other combustion, air traffic and use of motorised equipment. Domestic sea transport and fishing had the largest NO_X emissions in 2005, with 73 000 tonnes or 37 per cent of total emissions. The emissions from this source have increased considerably since 1990, and are now 13 per cent above the 1990 level. Fishing caused 23 000 tonnes, and the rest came from coastal traffic, ferries, supply ships, mobile oil rigs etc. Measures to reduce NO_X emissions from domestic sea transport and fishing include cleansing of exhaust gases (SCR) and motor technical reconstruction of ships.

In 2005, 46 000 tonnes, or 24 per cent of the NOx emissions, came from oil and gas activities. As for domestic sea transport and fishing, this is an important emission source, not only because it has large emissions, but also because the emissions have grown considerably since 1990: The emissions from oil and gas activities have increased by 65 per cent in the period. Measures to reduce these emissions can for instance be installation of low-NO_X turbines (Dry low emission - DLE).

Even though Norwegian motorists drive longer distances than ever before, NO_X emissions from road traffic have been more than halved since 1990. The main cause for this decline is the mandatory introduction of catalytic converters in petrol vehicles in 1989 combined with stricter rules in subsequent years. The emissions have decreased steadily since catalytic converters became mandatory. In 2005, 36 000 tonnes, or 18 per cent of the total NOx emissions, came from road traffic. The emissions from heavy diesel vehicles have also decreased, following the introduction of emission limits for heavy vehicles in 1993.

Small decrease in ammonia emissions

The emissions of ammonia were slightly reduced from 2005 to 2006, and totalled 22 600 tonnes in 2006. This is slightly below the target in the Gothenburg Protocol (23 000 tonnes).

Preliminary figures

The figures presented in this article are preliminary, but can be regarded as quite certain, particularly with regard to the total emissions. Detailed tables with distributions between source and industry will not be published until February 2008. The main emission sources for 2005 are described above.

Greenhouse gas figures also published today

Greenhouse gas emissions down 0.8 per cent

Documentation of the emission accounts

The Norwegian Emission Inventory. Documentation of methodologies for estimating emissions of greenhouse gases and long-range transboundary air pollutants (Rapport 2006/30)

Tables:

• Table 1 Emissions to air by source. 1990
• Table 2 Emissions to air by source. 2004
• Table 3 Emissions to air by source. 2005
• Table 4 Emissions to air of NOx, SO2, NH3 and NMVOC. 1973-2006*
• Table 5 Emissions to air of SO2, NOx, NH3 and NMVOC by sector. 2005