Emissions to air, 1990-2009, preliminary figures

Emission figures on a detailed level are now published for national greenhouse gas emissions for the years 1990-2009. The Norwegian emission inventory is prepared by Statistics Norway in close collaboration with the Climate and Pollution Agency. The new calculations confirm that Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions were reduced from 2008 to 2009. The total reduction is however somewhat lower than indicated in the preliminary figures published in May 2010.

CO₂ is the main contributor to emissions of greenhouse gases. In the period 1990-2007, the emissions of CO₂ increased considerably, while there was an emission reduction in 2008 and 2009. The emissions of N₂O and CH₄ have been relatively stable in the period, while the emissions of PFK and SF₆ have had a strong reduction. The emissions of HFK have however increased substantially since 1990.

Reduced emissions from oil and gas extraction

The emissions from oil and gas extractions decreased seven per cent from 2008 to 2009, but are still 76 per cent above the level in 1990. The emissions from offshore production plants still dominate the emissions from oil and gas extraction, but the declining trend that began around year 2000 is continuing. The emissions from onshore installations have increased in the period because of increased activity in gas terminals. In 2007 and 2008, emissions from gas terminals were particularly high due to start-up problems at the LNG plant at Hammerfest.

Emissions from energy supply increased considerably in 2009

Energy supply includes emissions from electricity production and district heating. The emissions from the production of electricity have previously been low since this sector has been dominated by water power. The start-up of the gas power plant at Kårstø increased the emissions considerably in 2009. The greenhouse gas emissions from district heating have more than doubled from 1990 to 2009, while the energy production more than tripled in the same period, according to the district heating statistics from Statistics Norway. The most important energy goods used in district heating is waste, but also woodchip and bark, electricity, oil and gas are important fuels for district heating. The estimated emission figures for the whole period are adjusted upwards for the district heating plants.

Reduced emissions from road traffic

The greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic increased by 26 per cent in the period 1990-2009, in spite of a reduction of four per cent from 2007 to 2009. There has been a reduction in the emissions from both passenger cars (including taxis) and heavy vehicles, while the emissions from other light vehicles (e.g. vans and mini buses under 3.5 tonnes) continue to increase. The diesel sale has increased every year during the whole period 1990-2009, and in spite of reduced sales of petrol from 2001, total fuel sales to transport increased until 2007. In 2008 and 2009 there was, however, a decrease also in the total fuel sale. According to the sales statistics for petroleum products , the sale of fuels for transport has increased again in 2010. This may indicate that the reduced sales in 2008 and 2009 were a temporary effect of lower economic activity in these two years. Sales in 2010 indicate a continuation of the increasing trend for fuel consumption in road traffic since 1990.

Since the last publication, Statistics Norway has started using a new model for calculating emissions from road traffic. Revised emission factors in the model have resulted in higher estimated emissions of N₂O and CH₄ in the beginning of the time series and lower estimated emissions in the end of the time series. However, these gases together constituted only 1.7 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic in 1990 and 0.8 per cent in 2009.

Tables:

• Table 1 Emissions to air by source. 1990
• Table 2 Emissions to air by source. 2008
• Table 3 Emissions to air by source. 2009*
• Table 4 Emissions to air of greenhouse gases. 1973-2009*
• Table 5 Emissions to air of greenhouse gases by industry. 1990, 2008 and 2009. 1 000 tonnes CO2equivalents. Change in per cent