Emissions to air, 1990-2000

Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority now present the results of the annual revision of previous emission calculations. The complete time series have been updated; the trend is unchanged from previous publications.

Mild winter and more fuel-efficient cars

Norway has signed the Kyoto Protocol, which implies a commitment to not increase the emissions in 2008-2012 by more than 1 per cent compared to the 1990 level (taking into account emissions trading and other Kyoto mechanisms). Norway's total greenhouse gas emissions have, however, increased by more than 6 per cent in the period 1990-2000.

In 2000, emissions were reduced by 1 per cent compared with the preceding year. This is the first time since 1991 that there has been a reduction in the emissions. The decline has several causes. The heating season 2000 was the mildest since 1992, which led to very low consumption of heating oils and kerosene. Even though road traffic has increased, more fuel-efficient cars have contributed to lower fuel consumption and emissions. Furthermore, several air services were closed down, with a resulting decrease in the sale of fuels for air transport.

The emission decrease does, however, not apply to all sectors. The CO₂ emissions from oil and gas activities on the Norwegian continental shelf are still increasing; in 2000 the growth was as high as 12 per cent. Process emissions from manufacturing industries are also increasing, but to a lower extent.

Oil activities and road traffic have the highest emissions

Greenhouse gas is a generic term for the gases CO₂, methane, nitrous oxide, HFCs, PFCs and SF₆. CO₂ accounted for three quarters of the total Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions in 2000. Oil and gas activities accounted for approximately one quarter of the CO₂ emissions in 2000, while road traffic and heating emissions on shore contributed with almost the same (22 and 21 per cent, respectively). Process emissions from metal production accounted for 13 per cent.

Methane and nitrous oxide are decreasing

In 2000, methane accounted for 12 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions. More than half of these emissions arise from biological degradation of waste at landfills. These emissions have been reduced somewhat during the last years because of increasing flaring or utilization of the gas. Agriculture accounts for almost one third of the emissions. Both these emission sources declined somewhat in 2000, which led to a slight reduction in total methane emissions (0.5 per cent). Methane emissions from loading of oil offshore increased in 2000, counteracting an even larger decrease.

Emissions of nitrous oxide have been reduced by 2 per cent, following a large decrease in emissions from fertilizer production. A larger decrease in total emissions was prevented by continually increasing emissions from road traffic. Emissions of nitrous oxide from road traffic arise as a side effect when the catalytic converters cleanse nitrogen oxides. Thus, the increase in emissions is not due to increased road traffic, but to a larger share of cars with catalytic converters on Norwegian roads.

Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF₆ accounted for almost 4 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions in 2000. This share is at the same level as the year before.

Figures and other articles

Tables and graphs (in Norwegian)

Dioxines

NOX, SO2, NMVOC and NH3