Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 2011, preliminary figures

The total emissions of acidifying substances were reduced by 2 per cent between 2010 and 2011. The decline was mainly due to a 2 per cent reduction in emissions of NO_X, equivalent to around 4 000 tonnes. The NH₃ emissions also decreased by approximately 2 per cent, to about 22 000 tonnes. The emissions of SO₂ were almost unchanged compared to 2010, at nearly 19 500 tonnes.

After a small increase between 2009 and 2010, emissions of NMVOC declined once more in 2011. The emissions of NMVOC were reduced by nearly 5 per cent, while the emissions of CO declined by 2 per cent.

The Norwegian emission inventory is compiled by Statistics Norway in collaboration with the Climate and Pollution Agency.

Reduced emissions of NO_X from transport

The emissions of NO_X went down by about 2 per cent in 2011, with the main reason being lower emissions from road transport. This was primarily due to better technology in heavy duty vehicles after the introduction of stricter exhaust emission requirements. In 2011, emissions from road traffic amounted to somewhat more than 19 per cent of the total NO_X emissions. Other transport, including air traffic, navigation and construction machines, was responsible for 38 per cent of the emissions. NO_X emissions from other transport were reduced by almost 2 per cent from the preceding year.

Despite last year’s reduction, NO_X emissions are still higher than the emission ceiling set in the Gothenburg Protocol . For all the other long range transboundary pollutants covered by the directive, the emissions are below the ceiling set for Norway.

More SO₂ from manufacturing industry

The SO₂ emissions from the manufacturing industry increased by 2 per cent from 2010 to 2011. This was mainly a consequence of higher activity in manufacturing of iron, steel and ferroalloys. The manufacturing industry is the main source of SO₂ emissions in Norway, and was responsible for as much as 70 per cent of the SO₂ emissions in 2011.

The use of fuels containing sulphur makes transport other than road traffic an important source of SO₂ emissions. Total emissions from air traffic, navigation, fishing and motorised equipment were reduced by almost 5 per cent from 2010 to 2011, mainly because of less use of fuels containing sulphur in ships and boats.

Continued reduction in NH₃ from fertilisation

A changeover to fertilisers that cause lower NH₃ losses has given further emission reductions. In all, NH₃ emissions from agriculture were reduced by 2 per cent in 2011 compared with the previous year. Agriculture was responsible for almost 91 per cent of the total NH₃ emissions - most of this came from manure.

Lower NMVOC emissions from extraction of oil and gas

Less offshore loading of crude oil and the ongoing introduction of emission-reducing measures caused a further decrease in NMVOC emissions from extraction of oil and gas in 2011. This source is now responsible for approximately a quarter of the total NMVOC emissions.

For a more detailed description of the time series, see the article on figures 1990-2010 published in February 2012 .

Tables:

• Table 1 Emissions to air by source. 1990
• Table 2 Emissions to air by source. 2010
• Table 3 Emissions to air by source. 2011*
• Table 4 Emissions to air of SO₂, NO_X, NH₃, NMVOCs and CO. 1980-2011
• Table 5 Emissions to air of SO₂, NO_X, NMVOC, CO and NH₃, by industry. 2011*. Tonnes